CHAPTER 187: CHAPTER 181: FOURTH BROTHER, I WANT TO HAVE YOUR LITTLE MONKEY (PART 2)

"No, the Aude Luc family owes the greatest debt to Emperor Haotian. This unpleasant task cannot fall on the Prime Minister." Muta spoke up before Long Che could. "Now, we’ll put it to a vote. If a majority agrees, the challenge letter will be written by the Deputy Marshal."

The Deputy Marshal, wearing a bitter expression, silently nodded. "Alright, I’ll write it."

Once everyone unanimously agreed to the battle, the Deputy Commander promptly sent a challenge letter to Emperor Haotian. Emperor Haotian’s response came quickly and, unlike ever before, this time he actually agreed to Xiasorcerers’ support!

"Now, let’s discuss the battle plan..." Muta turned to Tong Airui. "Airui, this time it will still have to be you. After all, the Divine Eagles are not a formal army. Even if there’s external censure, we can simply claim that this force entering the Haotian lands is not officially part of Xiasorcerers’ military. Do you have a strategy to counter their forces?"

Tong Airui nodded, his voice deep, "Haotian’s geographical location is suitable for naval warfare. Recently, Ai Nuo and I have developed a batch of weapons specifically for water combat. My plan is..."

After hearing his explanation, everyone nodded in agreement. It was an emergency situation, no one had the luxury of researching battle strategies. Yet, Tong Airui had devised a plan in such a short amount of time.

The meeting lasted until four in the morning. Once the group dispersed, Tong Airui rubbed his temples, stood up, and headed toward the door. "Dad, you should rest early too. I’ll prepare and leave in a while."

Long Che gazed at his son’s straight and untiring back, his heart aching slightly. "Are you going to say goodbye to Luowa?"

"Yes. Waking her up is better than sneaking away." Tong Airui glanced back at his father. "Once I leave, who knows when I’ll be back. I’ve already arranged for someone to handle Luowa’s family matters, but I’ll need to trouble you and mother to look after her personally."

"Luowa’s matters are our family’s matters. You don’t need to say anything. While you’re away, we’ll make sure everything is handled even better than if you were here. After you’ve spoken to Luowa, there’s no need to wake your mother. I’ll let her know."

"Thank you, Dad." Tong Airui smiled and headed out the door.

Long Che followed after him. "Take care of yourself."

Tong Airui turned to look at his father. "I’ll take good care of myself because I have family waiting for me at home."

Long Che recalled the bittersweet anguish he experienced when, newly married, he had to leave for battles in the desert. He let out a helpless sigh.

Yi Luowa, while fast asleep, suddenly felt an itch on her face. She reached out to swipe it away, only to feel a large hand. Startled, she jolted awake.

"Did I scare you?" Tong Airui gently caressed her cheek with his fingertips, a tender look in his eyes.

"What time is it? Why aren’t you asleep yet?"

Tong Airui sat down, staring at her reluctantly. "It’s four o’clock. I need to leave for Xiasorcerers in half an hour..."

Yi Luowa rubbed her eyes in her drowsiness. "You’re leaving?"

"Yes. I’m leading an expedition to Haotian Kingdom to assist Emperor Haotian in quelling the civil war. After the parade ends, you’ll leave together with my parents. I’ve already arranged everything regarding your family. My father will also look after you and your second uncle."

Yi Luowa was stunned for a moment, then promptly sat up, clutching his hand tightly.

Looking at her in her nightgown, Tong Airui chuckled helplessly. "I’ll come back as soon as I can. The way you’re clinging to me makes me almost want to defy orders and stay."

Yi Luowa, like a child who’d made a mistake, quickly let go of his hand. "I won’t hold you back. I just want to know... will you be in danger?"

"There won’t be any danger. With you waiting for me, how could I bear to let anything happen to me?" Tong Airui laughed and ruffled her hair.

"Don’t say that word!" Yi Luowa hastily covered his mouth.

"Alright, I won’t say it anymore." Tong Airui lowered his head and planted a gentle kiss on her forehead. "Wait for me to return. Don’t worry too much. Once I’ve handled things over there, I’ll call you."

"Fourth Brother, I..." I don’t want you to leave! Yi Luowa swallowed back her words, afraid her negative emotions would burden Tong Airui.

Seeing his reluctant gaze, Yi Luowa suddenly smiled, "Fourth Brother, I can take care of myself. Don’t worry. After all, Ai Ni and the others will still be around."

"When I’m gone, you can only hang out with Ai Ni!" Tong Airui’s face darkened at the thought of his friends always "poking at corners" to tease him.

Yi Luowa knelt slightly on the bed and pecked lightly at his lips, soft as cherry blossoms. "I’m yours, Fourth Brother. When you come back, we’ll finish what we didn’t earlier. After I graduate, I want to give you a baby monkey. Our baby monkey will surely be cuter than Duoduo!"

Tong Airui glanced at his watch. "There’s still some time. How about we continue now?"

Yi Luowa pulled his hand and looked at the time, bursting into laughter. "So Fourth Brother’s stamina is so weak—it only takes ten minutes to finish the fight. That video I saw before, that—ah!"

Before she could finish, Tong Airui pinned her under him. "One day, I’ll show you what my stamina is really like! After I’m gone, you’re not allowed to watch those nonsensical things. Every day you’ll think only of me and no one else. As for the little monkey, we don’t have to wait until you graduate. If we have one, we’ll just raise it. We’ve got people to help anyway."

Yi Luowa pursed her lips and smiled. "Fourth Brother, it’s almost time. Let me see you off?"

"If you see me off, I might not be able to leave." Tong Airui cupped her small face and kissed her messily, then pulled away when he felt himself losing restraint. "If I stay any longer, I really won’t be able to leave. Go back to bed and sleep. I’m leaving."

A flash of reluctance crossed Yi Luowa’s eyes. She tightened her nightgown around herself, stepped barefoot onto the floor, and said, "Fourth Brother, I’ll be waiting for your return."

Tong Airui smiled. "For you, and for our little monkey, I’ll definitely come back. Take care of yourself while I’m away."

"Alright." Yi Luowa nodded firmly.

Tong Airui gave her a deep look, opened the door, and walked out.

As the door shut, silent tears rolled down Yi Luowa’s cheeks.

Outside, the sound of footsteps grew fainter. Yi Luowa wiped her tears hastily and ran to the window. She wanted to watch him leave.

Soon, Tong Airui and Long Che appeared in the courtyard. Long Che seemed to be advising him about something, and Tong Airui silently nodded throughout. As he was about to get in the car, he glanced up at the upper floor.

Yi Luowa waved her small hand tirelessly, her eyes overflowing with tears. She kept wiping them away, desperate to see Tong Airui’s face clearly.