He Chunhua coughed lightly. He could not very well admit that he did not know the answer.

He Lingchuan mused for a moment, then said, “Immortals really had endless tricks. I wonder what the world was like back then. I’d really love to see it for myself.”

He Chunhua then commented, “Well, there are historical accounts. Back then, immortals and demons roamed the world freely, giant monsters rampaged unchecked, and ordinary people could do nothing but grovel like ants. Those immortals and giant monsters could shift mountains and drain seas at a whim, and some would devour the population of an entire city in one bite. Compared to that era, I think the present is much better.”

He went on, “Word from the front says that Nian Zanli’s offensive on the northern line is ferocious. After tonight’s incident, I expect the royal court will order me north as soon as possible. We will probably have to be there within two days at most. This trip to Shihuan, though dangerous, was worthwhile. After returning Zhu Xiu’er, we received goodwill from several sides, and I was able to probe the royal court’s intentions more clearly.”

He Lingchuan, as blunt as ever, said, “Father, our new territory lies in the north. We’ve little contact with the capital or Shihuan. Recruiting and raising troops is all on our own shoulders. Why bother currying favor with those corrupt lords and dandies of Shihuan?”

The words were sharp, but that was simply the way he spoke. He Chunhua was already used to it. “That is the way of officialdom, and also preparation for what lies ahead. When danger comes, I may not count on anyone to speak for me in court, but I must at least make it so that they do not trip me up or stab me in the back.”

He sighed then added, “How many loyal ministers and good generals through the ages didn’t fall on the battlefield, but instead died unjustly at the hands of treacherous men?” After saying that, he turned to his son. “Today, you showed quick wits and performed outstandingly. Even General Ke couldn’t stop praising you. You did good, very good.”

Dong Rui’s two puppets had been formidable foes. Yet in retrospect, whether it was stalling the werewolf or subduing the giant ape, his eldest son had played a pivotal role.

Could that all have been luck? He Chunhua no longer thought so.

No one knew their son better than a father.

Catching his father’s thoughtful gaze, He Lingchuan felt a chill. “Quick wits”—those words had always been reserved for his younger brother, He Yue. Now it was being applied to him.

Most would crave recognition. But He Lingchuan often reminded himself of the old turtle monster’s lines: conceal one’s brilliance, remain free from ambition

Tonight, when danger struck the whole family, he had not kept his head down. And now suspicion followed.

This isn’t good.

So he tilted his head high and said deliberately, “General Ke himself said I was a natural leader. That can’t be wrong. When we reach the northern frontier, I want to take the field, lead troops, and accrue merit of my own!”

“You beat two monsters and now think yourself invincible?” He Chunhua laughed and scolded him. “Fine. I’ll give you the chance then. Just don’t let me down!”

He Lingchuan quickly pressed the advantage, “Then how about making me a commandant right away?”

“Military rank must be earned on the battlefield,” He Chunhua said, standing up. “Come, let’s go find the rock wolves. It would be best if they choose their companions quickly. The longer we wait, the greater the risk.”

He Yue blinked. “Tonight? It’s still the middle of the night. There are still four hours until dawn.”

“General Ke’s journey back to the capital won’t be smooth,” He Chunhua said, glancing at the sky. “It’s best if we finish what’s in our hands before fresh trouble arises.”

The rock wolves’ “alliance contract” required two lambs, freshly slaughtered, still steaming. The leftovers from last night’s mutton stew would not do.

So Mao Tao took some silver and roused the nearest slaughterhouse in Shihuan City. From the back pens, he picked out two lively yearlings.

Their meat was tender, just as He Lingchuan had said, “in their prime.” The two giant wolves ate with great satisfaction.

Then came the next step, forging the one-on-one contracts.

This was a mutual choice. It was only if man and wolf both found favor that the contract would be sealed.

Without hesitation, Lu Xin strode over to He Lingchuan. “I choose him!”

After tonight’s battle, He Lingchuan’s performance had been the best by far. The rock wolf had long since taken notice.

Delighted, He Lingchuan laughed. “You’ve got good taste!” Among the wolves, aside from Lu Ze, Lu Xin had the highest status, the fiercest frame, and the sharpest gaze. Walking it down the street would draw eyes from every direction.

The other wolf, Lu Jin, circled He Chunhua, Zeng Feixiong, Wu Shaoyi, and the rest. It sniffed around before finally stopping by He Yue’s side. “I choose him!”

He Yue was caught off guard, and he flushed with surprise. “...Thank you?”

This majestic dark-coated giant wolf had not chosen his father, nor Zeng Feixiong, but him? Was this fate?

Lu Jin puffed out its chest, baring a grin with a hint of menace. “Little Young Master, I’ll watch your back from now on!”

The others, left unchosen, could not help feeling disappointed.

He Lingchuan clicked his tongue in amusement and leaned toward Lu Xin to whisper, “Is my family’s Little Two really that sought after?”

Lu Xin’s long wolfish face betrayed no expression. “He looks weaker. He needs the strongest protector.”

That actually sounded reasonable enough.

With that, the contracts could now be carried out between each man and wolf. The process went smoothly and needs no elaboration.

Once the contracts were sealed, He Chunhua ordered everyone back to rest.

* * *

Before dawn, He Chunhua was shaken awake.

Ying Hongchan was gently patting his shoulder. “My lord, Zhao Qinghe has urgent news.”

What could be so pressing that it couldn’t wait until daylight? A pang of dread struck He Chunhua. He quickly dressed and found Zhao Qinghe waiting in the corner of the courtyard.

“What is it?” The winter chill bit deep, and He Chunhua pulled his robe tighter around him.

Zhao Qinghe, now promoted to Zeng Feixiong’s deputy, bowed. “My lord, do you recall Rui Manzi of the Coordinating Army?”

“I handpicked him myself. How could I not remember?” He Chunhua’s heart sank. “What about him?”

“Last night, he and another squad leader drank themselves senseless. On the way back from the tavern, a back-alley prostitute struck up a conversation with them. They went to her house for the night. During that time, he rambled drunkenly and even bragged about the battle at Immortal Spirit Lake. His companion sobered up after vomiting, realized the words had been inappropriate and in violation of your gag order, and came to report to me.”

After the battle at Immortal Spirit Village, He Chunhua had issued a strict gag order forbidding any soldier from speaking of or spreading word of those events. Violators would face severe punishment. This was a military order.

“They didn’t speak of it in the tavern?”

“No.”

“Only at the woman’s house?”

“Yes,” answered Zhao Qinghe. “And it was the woman who asked first.”

“She asked first?” He Chunhua narrowed his eyes. “When did Rui Manzi return to his quarters?”

“About half an hour ago. The two of them were even stopped by patrolmen on the way. Only after showing their waist-tokens were they released.”

“Before dawn curfew is still in effect,” He Chunhua said, glancing at the sky. “Civilians can’t leave their homes yet. That woman won’t be able to pass word until daylight. You still have time.”

“My lord, please give the order.”

“Do what must be done, but don’t trouble the city patrol.” He Chunhua’s gaze turned somber. “Zhu Xiu’er only just managed to climb out of the mire. She still has to live on in Shihuan, and her good name must not be sullied.”

“Oh, and Rui Manzi broke military orders. Give him twenty strokes of the staff, to be administered again once we reach Xia Province.” A beating meant time spent recuperating, and they still had a long march ahead. “Also, spread word of this order, during our stay in Shihuan City, the Coordinating Army is forbidden to drink.”

With that, he clasped his hands against the cold and returned to his room to rest.

* * *

Bang, bang, bang!

Someone pounded on the door.

He Lingchuan had been dreaming of shooting an arrow, but the banging startled him awake. His shot went astray, and he jolted upright.

Before he could curse, the anxious voice of Old Steward Mo called from outside, “Young Master, get up at once! Envoys from the palace are here!”

The palace?

He Lingchuan rolled out of bed and swung open the door. Two guards entered at once to help him hastily into his robes and shoes.

By the time he reached the front courtyard of the inn, the rest of the He Family was already assembled. There, a short, portly eunuch with a pale, beardless face stepped forward to announce the decree, “By order of His Majesty the King, the Governor-General of Xia Province, He Chunhua, is to enter the palace at once!”

An audience at dawn?

The plump eunuch, decree delivered, smiled cheerfully at He Chunhua. “Governor-General He, if you please.”

Straightening his attire, He Chunhua strode out beaming, his eyes bright and his step lively. To look at him, you would never guess he had just come through a desperate battle and a sleepless night.

A clamor of attendants and guards swept in and then out again.

Madame Ying chuckled. “Summoned to court in the middle of the night. It’s clear that His Majesty values him greatly.”

He Lingchuan stretched and yawned wide. “Well, if that’s all, I’m going back to bed.”

What did this have to do with me anyway? I was just here to stand by when the decree was read.

* * *

But when he tried to sleep again, he did not drift back into the Panlong Dreamscape. Instead, he dreamt of the immortal’s cave abode.

More precisely, he saw the divine bone necklace sink about ten meters beneath the earth. The soil and rock seemed to be guided, streaming into the circular hole at the center of the bone and vanishing without return.

Before long, even a tiny crystal no larger than a grain of rice—pale red and unremarkable—was drawn in.

It resisted, shattering midway into a thin red mist that tried to scatter and flee.

But the divine bone’s power was stronger. It dragged the mist back, pulling it in by brute force until it was swallowed into the ring.

The disturbance underground ceased, and the divine bone necklace slowly rose back to the surface.

After that, He Lingchuan was roused by the shrill blast of whistles.

He also heard hurried footsteps, shouts, and curses, all rushing past outside the inn and fading into the distance.

How is anyone supposed to sleep like this?

Just then, He Yue happened to walk by. Rubbing his eyes, He Lingchuan called out, “What’s going on out there?”

But his thoughts were still on that dream.

So, that was what had happened underground back then?

The divine bone amulet had absorbed that wisp of red mist, and only after that had the Panlong Dreamscape allowed him to enter freely, time and again?

He Yue answered, “Troops are making arrests. They’ve ordered every inn and bathhouse to stop admitting new guests, and to hand over lists of everyone already lodged inside. Just now, across the street, I saw dozens of people tied together like a string of candied hawthorns and hauled away.”

Shihuan City had a whole street of bathhouses that also provided lodging, and those too were being put under heavy scrutiny.

He Lingchuan nodded and said, “The court moves quickly.”

“Rebels infiltrated Shihuan City to assassinate royal officials. All this right under the Son of Heaven’s nose. This is a serious matter!” He Yue added, “How’s your shoulder?”

He Lingchuan tried to lift his left arm, but winced halfway. Just then, the medicine ape, Ling Guang, came hurrying over with a tray of pills. “Don’t move that shoulder, Master. Best not to strain the muscles and bones. I’ll switch you to two other medicines. Give it at most four days, and it’ll be fine. As for your other injuries, another day or two should see them healed.”