Chapter 25: Old Man Traps Son

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"Originally, it was only 30%, but now it has increased to at least 50%," Grand Tutor Sun said, glancing towards the Coiling Dragon Desert. "That's if the anomalies in the desert don't exceed the intelligence I possess."

He Chunhua walked back, his expression slowly firming. "Very well, I'll go!"

The soldiers below immediately looked at him with increased respect.

The He brothers were shocked. "Father, it's not necessary!"

They were about to rush forward, but He Chunhua stopped them with a sharp cry.

The Prefect was slightly annoyed. "What kind of spectacle is this, pulling and dragging, with so many people watching!" He then turned to Zeng Feixiong and commanded, "Depart!"

The team of nearly three hundred people set off northward along the main road.

Only then did He Chunhua sigh and say to his sons, "I have wasted twenty years at the border, but you are young and must not be buried here any longer. If this mission succeeds, your future will begin in the capital!"

Twenty years of personal experience had taught him that even with extraordinary talent, it was impossible to achieve anything significant while stuck in a remote, impoverished place. Taking one risk that could restore the He family to the capital seemed like a very worthwhile endeavor.

"The country is in turmoil, yet this place is a veritable haven," He Lingchuan couldn't help but interject. "Dad, Blackwater City isn't so bad. A vague, uncertain treasure hunt isn't worth risking your life for!"

Honestly, it was pretty good here; he liked it immensely, despite the strong winds and sand, the coarse food, and the overwhelming richness of too much beef and lamb... "Hey, but can we avoid causing more trouble?"

If the Prefect were to die, who would take over? Who would keep things stable? The family's good days would certainly come to an end.

"It's only right to dedicate oneself to the country. You'll understand when you're older." The truth was, with the Grand Tutor and the King's decree present, refusal was simply not an option. This child, sixteen and still so naive! He Chunhua patted his eldest son's shoulder before turning to He Yue. "While I am gone, Yue'er will assist in overseeing the prefectural duties. You have always been steady and resourceful; if I do not return, you must take care of the He family and your mother."

He Lingchuan couldn't help but turn to Sun Fuping. "Can't we wait a little longer? We could find someone else to lead the team!"

"We could wait, but every official we find would have to undergo this test," Sun Fuping said, gesturing towards the large water tank. "An army on campaign relies on its initial momentum; repeated delays drain its energy. By then, we would be no match for the Coiling Dragon Desert."

Morale is at its peak now; if we were to try again and again, the soldiers would grow weary.

Moreover, the contingent has already set off. Once the arrow is released, there's no turning back.

He Yue's eyes reddened. He pulled his father aside by the hand and whispered, "Dad, this is a trap they've laid!"

"How could I not know?" He Chunhua shook his head slightly. He looked at He Lingchuan, who had followed, and after a moment of hesitation, said, "Chuan'er, you will come with me."

These words struck He Lingchuan like a bolt of lightning, making his head buzz.

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

Why should he join an adventure where survival was so unlikely?

Didn't He Chunhua dote on his eldest son? Why would he ask him to come along to his demise?

"Since your birth, the Great Shaman prophesied you would be a bearer of fortune, able to turn any peril into prosperity." He Chunhua seemed to struggle to say this, but continued, "For over a decade, the He family has thrived, proving those words true. This journey to Coiling Dragon is fraught with uncertainty, and I... I need your good fortune! Furthermore, your martial prowess is considerable, and with a family member guarding me, I will feel much more at ease."

He gripped He Lingchuan's arm, instinctively glancing at Sun Fuping twice, and whispered, "I have a feeling this could also be a tremendous opportunity for the He family. Chuan'er, your father's safety rests on you!"

He Lingchuan felt a bitter taste rise in his mouth, as if it might bubble over. He wanted to say no, but could he?

From its very founding, the Great Kite Dynasty had fervently instilled the ethics of sovereign-subject and father-son relationships into its officials and common folk, just as other regimes did. Given He Chunhua's concern for his own safety, having his eldest son accompany him seemed perfectly normal, didn't it?

The Prefect of Xunzhou had done even worse, directly sending his own son into peril. By comparison, He Chunhua's request was hardly extreme.

Besides, with everyone watching, could He Lingchuan truly open his mouth and say "I won't"?

Yes, he could.

"Dad, I don't..."

He Lingchuan was about to unleash his former self's unreasonable tendencies, but unfortunately, He Chunhua knew his son too well. He gave him no chance to think, waver, or refuse, instead raising his voice to Sun Fuping: "Grand Tutor, Chuan'er will accompany me!"

His voice was exceptionally loud, causing the vanguard to look over.

Well, that settled it.

It also stifled He Lingchuan's last chance to refuse.

He Chunhua patted his eldest son's shoulder, exclaiming, "Good boy!"

He Yue watched from the side, dumbfounded. While it was common to see fathers and sons fighting side by side these days, didn't their father always favor his elder brother? Why would he insist on taking him along on such a high-stakes venture?

His elder brother's face clearly showed his reluctance.

Nian Songyu heard as well and waved at He Lingchuan. "Excellent, we'll have more time to get acquainted on the journey."

What more could He Lingchuan say? Gazing at Nian Songyu's cheerful smile, his mouth felt dry and bitter. "Alright, I'll go prepare some supplies."

What began as a send-off for the expedition team transformed into a farewell for his father, and ultimately, a farewell for himself.

One could only say that life was full of unexpected surprises.

His younger brother, eyes red-rimmed, was giving cautionary advice for the journey, and the recipient of that advice had surprisingly become himself.

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

"You think I don't know?" He Lingchuan rolled his eyes. "Uncle Hao, I'm entrusting you with the safety of my younger brother."

Uncle Hao nodded.

He and Nian Songyu had a past grievance, so He Chunhua decisively kept him from participating in this perilous journey through the Coiling Dragon Desert, to avoid any complications.

He Lingchuan envied his detachment immensely, but at this moment, he could only offer a forced smile and wave goodbye.

Glancing at He Chunhua again, a thought suddenly occurred to him:

Was it possible that this father's affection for his eldest son wasn't as profound as He Lingchuan, in his original body, had believed?

The Coiling Dragon Desert had not yet entered its season of fierce sandstorms, and Red Cliff Road was bustling with people.

With only about ten days left until the deadline, everyone was moving with a sense of urgency.

Before setting off, He Lingchuan had already changed his mount and loaded his supplies. Now, clad in a white robe, only his face remained uncovered.

As the sun rose, the desert grew terribly hot. After walking for fifteen minutes without any cover, He Lingchuan's body was scorching; he felt as though pouring water on himself would cause steam to rise.

In fact, they hadn't yet entered the true desert. Small sea buckthorn, sand junipers, and reed grass were frequently seen, along with scattered saxaul trees and purple-stemmed willows.

As a vital thoroughfare to and from Blackwater City, the road's edges were strewn with various items: dilapidated boxes, scraps of fabric, empty bottles, and the half-rotted carcasses of jackals. He Lingchuan even noticed a small tuft of black hair, fluttering in the wind from a clump of reed grass, that looked disturbingly human.

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