“Originally, there would have only been about a thirty percent chance of the team returning alive. But now… It should be at least fifty percent,” said State Preceptor Sun, casting a glance toward the direction of the Panlong Desert. “That is, if the anomalies within the desert haven’t surpassed the intelligence I’ve received.”

He Chunhua stepped back from the altar, his expression slowly hardening with resolve. “Very well. I’ll go!”

The eyes of the soldiers below immediately filled with more profound respect.

The He brothers were shocked. “Father, it doesn’t have to be you!”

They moved to stop him, but He Chunhua barked, “Stand down!”

The commandery administrator’s tone turned sharp. “This is unbecoming of you. What sort of decorum is this, especially with all these eyes on us?” After saying that, he turned to Zeng Feixiong and issued the order, “Move out!”

A team of nearly three hundred men set out along the official road, heading north.

Only once the unit had started to march did He Chunhua let out a quiet sigh and speak to his sons, “I’ve wasted away twenty years in this borderland, but you two are still young. I won’t let your talents be buried here. If this operation turns out to be a success, your path leads straight to the capital.”

Twenty years of bitter experience had taught him that in a remote, impoverished corner like this, no amount of brilliance could shine. If one single gamble could elevate the He Family back to prominence in the capital, it was more than worth the risk.

“Chaos roils across the land. Here, at least, we live in peace,” He Lingchuan could not hold himself back from saying. “Father, there’s nothing wrong with Heishui City. Risking your life on some illusion of a treasure hunt, how can that be worth it?”

Truly, this place was fine. He liked it here—well, aside from the relentless sand, the coarse food, and the overload of lamb and beef that left his stomach groaning... But that was besides the point! Could things not just stay simple?

If the commandery administrator were to die, who would step up? Who could hold the city together? The whole family’s days of ease would come crashing down.

“To give all in service of the state—that is right and proper. One day, you’ll understand.” The truth is, with a state precept and a royal edict both present, there’s no room to decline. This sixteen-year-old son of mine is still too green! He Chunhua patted his eldest son’s shoulder and turned to He Yue. “While I’m gone, the commandery duties fall to you, Yue’er. You’ve always been steady and shrewd. If I don’t return, take care of the He Family, and take care of your mother.”

He Lingchuan could not help but turn toward Sun Fuping. “Can’t we wait a little longer? Let someone else lead the expedition!”

“We can wait. However, if it so comes to be that someone else is to take the commandery administrator’s place, then they must first undergo the same trial,” Sun Fuping replied calmly, pointing at the great vat. “Do note that morale is at its peak right now. If you allow it to rise and fall too many times, it will drain away. By then, we’ll stand no chance against the Panlong Desert.”

Momentum mattered. Once lost, it was hard to regain. Besides, the army was already marching. Once the bowstring was pulled, there was no turning back the arrow.

He Yue’s eyes reddened. Gripping his father’s hand, he whispered, “Father, this is a trap! They’re luring you in!”

“Do you really think that I don’t know that?” He Chunhua gave a faint shake of his head. After a glance at He Lingchuan, who had followed them over, he hesitated, then said, “Chuan’er, come with me.”

These few words struck like thunder. He Lingchuan’s head buzzed with disbelief.

“What? Father, I…” don’t want to go!

This is a near-suicidal expedition into the desert! Why should I be the one to tag along?

Don’t you dote on me? Why are you taking me along to die?

“Since the day you were born, the grand shaman said you were a child of fortune, destined to turn misfortune into blessing. For over a decade, the He Family has risen steadily, proving those words true. The danger in the Panlong Desert is beyond reckoning… That’s why I—I need your fortune! Besides, your martial skills are solid. With family beside me, I’ll feel safer.”

He grasped He Lingchuan’s arm, sneaking a glance at Sun Fuping before lowering his voice. “I have a feeling this trip may be a turning point for our He Family. Chuan’er, your father is counting on you.”

He Lingchuan could practically taste the bitterness bubbling in his throat.

He wanted to refuse, but could he even do that?

Ever since the Great Yuan’s founding, the state had instilled in its people the sacred bonds of ruler and minister, father and son, just as every dynasty before it had. A father asking his son to accompany him on a perilous mission was entirely reasonable.

The Provincial Governor of Xun Province had done far worse, sending his son straight into danger. Compared to that, what was this?

And besides, with so many eyes watching… Could He Lingchuan really say “I won’t go”?

I can!

“Father, I won’t—”

Just as He Lingchuan was about to channel the former He Lingchuan’s trademark bullheadedness, He Chunhua—far too familiar with his son’s habits—cut him off before he could even hesitate, struggle, or refuse. He raised his voice and declared to Sun Fuping, “State Preceptor, Chuan’er will accompany me!”

His voice rang out loud and clear, drawing sidelong glances from the soldiers at the front.

That was that. The decision had been made.

And with it, He Lingchuan’s last chance to object was firmly smothered.

He Chunhua gave his son’s shoulder a hearty pat, sighing with emotion. “Good child!”

Off to the side, He Yue stood dumbfounded. Sure, father-son pairs heading into battle were not unheard of these days, but had his father not always favored his eldest son? Why was he then bringing him along on such a dangerous mission?

Big Brother’s face is even clearly screaming that he doesn’t want to go.

Nian Songyu had also caught wind of the announcement. He waved cheerfully to He Lingchuan. “Excellent. We’ll have plenty of time to bond on the road.”

What could He Lingchuan even say to that? Staring at Nian Songyu’s delighted grin, he felt parched and miserable. “Right, I’ll go prepare some supplies.”

This send-off, which had initially been for the expedition team, then turned into a farewell for his father, had now become his own farewell as well.

What could he say? Life was just full of surprises.

Even his younger brother, red-eyed and tearful, ended up giving him last-minute reminders to be careful on the road.

He Yue clutched his arm and suddenly whispered, “Be careful of those two.”

“Is there even a need to tell me?” He Lingchuan rolled his eyes. Then, he turned to Uncle Hao and said, “Uncle Hao, I’m counting on you to keep an eye on Little Two.”

Uncle Hao nodded solemnly.

Because of the long-standing friction between him and Nian Songyu, He Chunhua had decisively kept him out of this Panlong Desert mission to avoid complications.

He Lingchuan could not help envying Uncle Hao’s luck in being left behind. But now, all he could do was force a dry smile and raise a hand in farewell.

As his gaze drifted back to He Chunhua, a sudden, troubling thought crossed his mind. Is it possible… that Father’s feelings for his eldest son aren’t as deep as the original He Lingchuan believed?

Looking back on the memories I inherited, this father of mine was clearly methodical, brave, and willing to take bold risks. He’s a man built for great undertakings. But!

Yes, there’s a “but.” Whenever he did take those risks, wasn’t his eldest son always right there at his side?

Was this so-called “child of fortune” title truly a blessing… or a pretext?

* * *

The Panlong Desert had not fully entered its berserk period yet, and the Hongya Route was still busy with travelers.

With only about ten days left before the cutoff, everyone was moving with urgency.

Just before setting out, He Lingchuan had swapped mounts and replenished his supplies. Now cloaked in a white robe, he looked ready to ride into legend, if only his face were not still uncovered.

The sun had barely risen, but the desert heat was already punishing. After just a quarter-hour of walking under the open sky, He Lingchuan felt like he was being roasted alive. He half-suspected that if he poured water over himself, steam would rise.

In fact, they had not even truly entered the desert yet. Around them were still plenty of hardy shrubs, such as sea buckthorn, desert almonds, and chee grass, along with scattered saxaul trees and purple willows.

As this was the main route in and out of Heishui City, there was all sorts of debris along both sides of the path—broken crates, scraps of cloth and bottles, the half-rotted corpse of a jackal. He Lingchuan even spotted a small clump of black hair fluttering on a tuft of chee grass, and it looked disturbingly human.