Chapter 106: A Conversation Between Grandfather and Grandson

Outside the Jiangu Cave, a great lion stood guard silently, its deep brown-black eyes constantly scanning the pitch-black valley, ever vigilant against any unlawful intrusion.

Inside the cave, three figures—two elders and one youth—sat around a campfire. Once everyone settled, Du Long, with a solemn expression, finally asked, “Grandfather, could you please tell your grandson all you know about Sixth Uncle?”

The old man was momentarily taken aback by the question and asked in confusion, “Your Sixth Uncle is the son of my late cousin, Du Fengyun. Surely you remember all of this?”

“Of course I know the basics,” Du Long explained, “but I want to know if you recall any major events involving Sixth Uncle from over forty years ago. Also, how did Uncle Fengyun die back then?”

“Over forty years ago?” Du Fengzhong gazed deeply into the fire and pondered. “My cousin Du Fengyun was the commanding general of the Zhenwei Legion! Though nearly forty and unmarried, one day, a woman appeared at our door with a six-year-old boy, claiming he was Fengyun’s son. She presented a token, and the moment my cousin Fengyun saw it, he burst into tears and immediately acknowledged Zhenan as his own!”

“This… how could that be? Did Sixth Uncle accept a child as his own just based on one token? Where was his biological mother? And what happened to the woman who brought him here?” Du Long asked in disbelief.

Despite his curiosity, the old man restrained himself and continued, “Back then, it seemed incredible. We asked Fengyun what had happened. He said that a few years prior, while leading troops to Xining County to suppress bandits, he had crossed paths with a woman imprisoned by the bandits. The token was something he had given her.”

“As for the woman who brought Zhenan here, after receiving some money and gifts from Fengyun, we never saw her again.”

“Grandfather!” Du Long said anxiously, “Didn’t Fengyun ever doubt Zhenan’s identity? Where was his real mother? Why did a stranger bring him back to the Du household?”

“It was said that Zhenan’s birth mother died of illness. A kind local woman delivered him to the Du family. Since the boy bore a strong resemblance to Fengyun, my cousin was certain at first glance that he was his son. So they accepted each other as father and son,” the old man explained.

“And how did Uncle Fengyun die?” Du Long pressed further.

“Over twenty years ago, the Blue Moon Empire invaded. Fengyun received orders to lead the army in defense but was ultimately defeated and died on the battlefield. Zhenan then succeeded his father as commander of the Zhenwei Legion.”

“That’s too coincidental!” Du Long narrowed his eyes, a cold glint flashing within.

“Zhenan was carefully taught by Fengyun from a young age. Not only was he gifted in martial cultivation, but he also had a natural talent for military strategy. Fengyun had him join the Zhenwei Legion early on. Through countless battles and meritorious service, he steadily rose to become the Legion’s commander. That wasn’t coincidence,” Du Fengzhong elaborated.

“Grandfather, is there a detailed battle report from the battle where Fengyun died? I want to study it carefully,” Du Long inquired thoughtfully.

“Yes, there is. In my study, on the third shelf down from the top right corner, there’s a copy of that report. Take it with my token and read it as you wish,” the old man said without hesitation, handing over a jade token.

In the past, such reports would never have been so easily entrusted to Du Long. His recent conduct evidently earned the old man’s trust, and he was beginning to groom his grandson for important family affairs.

“Thank you, Grandfather!” Du Long accepted the token joyfully.

“Alright,” Du Fengzhong straightened up, his face serious. “Boy, now you owe Grandfather an explanation. Why are you so interested in these matters? Have you discovered something related to Zhenan?”

Du Long’s expression turned grave. “Grandfather, today at the Tianlong Grand Hotel, I unexpectedly encountered Sixth Uncle. He was dining in the same private chamber with Left Minister Fan De and others.”

“Just because of that, you think Zhenan is suspicious?” the old man scoffed.

“Out of curiosity, I used a method that could not be detected to eavesdrop on their conversation,” Du Long continued.

Du Fengzhong’s eyes lit up but he still found it hard to believe. “Impossible! Left Minister Fan De is incredibly cunning. If he was discussing important matters with our officials at Tianlong Hotel, there’s no way he would allow outsiders to overhear.”

“Grandfather, I won’t reveal how exactly I listened in—please forgive me for keeping that secret for now. But you must believe me; I truly heard everything they said.”

“Very well, I won’t pry into your method. But tell me, what did they discuss?”

Du Long proceeded to recount the entire conversation he had overheard. The more he spoke, the deeper the furrows grew on Du Fengzhong’s brow. The information was both shocking and enraging to the veteran general of the Haotian Empire.

“Those Fan family bastards! They mean no good at all. If what you say is true, they are clearly plotting rebellion!” Du Fengzhong cursed loudly after hearing the full account.

“Grandfather, even if the Fan family’s plan is carried out, it will take years to succeed. But what’s more urgent is the poisonous tumor growing within our own Du family—we must find a way to deal with it quickly,” Du Long analyzed.

“Correct,” the old man nodded. “You still don’t fully understand the military situation. Our loyal Wǔ Legion numbers two hundred thousand troops. Zhenan’s Zhenwei Legion originally had only a hundred thousand. If your intelligence is accurate, they will also reach two hundred thousand in three years.”

“Remember, the Zhenwei Legion is actually the reserve force of the Loyal Wǔ Legion. The Loyal Wǔ Legion guards the strategic Red Dragon Gorge, while the Zhenwei Legion is stationed in the rear at Tiemu County.”

“If the Loyal Wǔ Legion at Red Dragon Gorge goes to war against the Blue Moon Empire, the Zhenwei Legion will be deployed as reinforcements. If the Zhenwei Legion betrays us from within, the Loyal Wǔ Legion will be attacked from both front and rear—that would be disastrous!”

“Since I claimed the natural fortress of Red Dragon Gorge years ago, the Blue Moon Empire has coveted it like a ravenous wolf. Even if they send a million troops, they won’t gain any advantage while it’s in our hands.”

“Who would have thought they’d devise such a far-reaching scheme to strike from within, to seize Red Dragon Gorge without bloodshed? If we lose Red Dragon Gorge, the Haotian Empire will face the Blue Moon Empire’s elite million-strong iron cavalry head-on!”

Du Fengzhong’s detailed explanation made it clear he was preparing to seriously mentor his obedient grandson.

“Grandfather, how we handle Sixth Uncle’s situation must be entrusted to you for now. It seems the Fan family has dealings with the Beilin Trade Guild, one of the three great guilds of the Star Continent, and the Beilin Guild clearly has connections with the Blue Moon Empire. If the Blue Moon Empire has been working hard against the Haotian Empire for decades, it’s not impossible that the Fan family is colluding with them,” Du Long further analyzed.

“Exactly. The late emperor also sensed some clues. Otherwise, your marriage to Princess Huofeng wouldn’t have proceeded so smoothly. Clearly, the royal family has begun uniting all forces it can,” Du Fengzhong sighed softly.

“Alas, if the Fan family didn’t have a spiritual-tier presence, things wouldn’t be so complicated. Now that I think about it, the fact that the old patriarch Fan reached the spiritual tier probably means he gained advantages from the Blue Moon Empire. Otherwise, how could their family have attained such cultivation?”

“Grandfather, is a spiritual-tier cultivator truly that terrifying? Didn’t the Retired Emperor reach the spiritual tier early on? Why is the Fan family’s old monster so feared?” Du Long asked in puzzlement.

“Child, a spiritual-tier cultivator can fly on a sword and behead enemy commanders amidst a million troops with ease. My cousin Du Fengyun was killed by a sudden strike from a saint-tier expert. Imagine if a spiritual-tier cultivator goes berserk—how many royal descendants could escape their relentless pursuit?” Du Fengzhong said with a hopeful yet grave expression.

“Uncle was killed by a spiritual-tier existence?!” Du Long was shocked. “Didn’t we have anyone of that level? If every nation sent spiritual-tier masters to assassinate commanders at will, war would be impossible!”

“You’re right. Later, we also dispatched spiritual-tier cultivators. The Fan family’s old monster killed two enemy commanders in retaliation,” the old man replied.

“By the way, Grandfather, how is the cultivation of the set of techniques I gave you progressing? When do you think you will break through?” Du Long remembered an important matter and asked.

“Hard to say. I can feel the membrane before breaking through to the spiritual tier. It could take a few days or up to a year or so. It’s unpredictable,” Du Fengzhong mused.

“Oh,” Du Long nodded absently, then continued, “Grandfather, tomorrow I will go to the Fengli County territory with the renowned craftsman Ou Yezi. Do you have any instructions for me?”

“Renowned craftsman Ou Yezi?!” The old man’s eyes nearly popped out as he roared.

“Yes! Ou Yezi is now with me. I invited him to oversee the armory in the territory. I’ve even gathered his top apprentices here!” Du Long said matter-of-factly.

“This… this…” Du Fengzhong was dumbfounded. “Is that true?!”

“Heh, would I joke about such matters? Absolutely true!” Du Long laughed.

“That stubborn old fellow… even the emperor himself couldn’t easily persuade him. How did you manage it?” the old man asked incredulously.

“Not much. By chance, I obtained some rare weapon blueprints. When he saw them, he immediately decided to come with me and help manufacture these weapons,” Du Long explained briefly.

“Oh! That makes sense. That stubborn old man is only interested in forging. Your blueprints must be very novel; otherwise, he wouldn’t be attracted to come,” Du Fengzhong suddenly understood.

“Heh heh, exactly. But for now, these weapons are top secret. When we face the Blue Moon Empire on the battlefield, we’ll make them pay dearly!” Du Long sneered.

“Ha ha! Then I shall watch eagerly. By the way, you are now a Fifth Rank Cavalry Commander, and the emperor has allowed you to raise a ten-thousand-strong cavalry force. You probably lack trustworthy mid- to high-ranking officers. I will arrange a group of officers to come to Fengli County to assist you. They are descendants of my old subordinates and absolutely reliable. Whatever secret matters you have, entrust them without worry!”