Xu Tianyuan

"Could it be reinforcements?"

Xu Lanqing felt a tightening in his chest, but upon seeing Jing Hongchen and Zheng Zhan beside him, he felt less nervous. With two Title Douluo-level soul masters present, what kind of trouble could possibly arise?

"Hall Master Jing, can you see who they are?"

Jing Hongchen raised his right hand, and a high-altitude detector quickly soared into the sky.

The high-altitude detector resembled a satellite; in the center was a sphere, while on both sides were rectangular metal plates covered in intricate soul guidance arrays, connected to the sphere like wings.

Jing Hongchen closed his eyes, presumably observing the situation.

Before long, Xu Lanqing saw Jing Hongchen open his eyes.

"How is it?"

"No need to worry, it's the Imperial Dragon Soul Master Legion. I suspect they've been tracking this remnant force."

Jing Hongchen smiled, his tone relaxed:

"Furthermore, the one leading them is your cousin, the Second Prince."

The Second Prince?

Xu Tianyuan?

Xu Lanqing was somewhat surprised. He knew of this person, but only by reputation; they had never actually met.

Because Xu Tianyuan had joined the military before he was even born and had never returned to Mingdu since, Xu Lanqing only knew a few general things about him.

He hadn't expected their first meeting to occur under these circumstances.

"How long until they arrive?" Xu Lanqing asked.

"About ten minutes," Jing Hongchen estimated.

"Understood."

Xu Lanqing turned to Lin Rou and said, "If you have anything you need to pack, go ahead and get it ready. We'll be leaving shortly."

Lin Rou nodded, bowed to Xu Lanqing, and then took Juzi by the hand, leading her toward their living quarters.

As she was being pulled along, Juzi looked back at Xu Lanqing, waving her free right hand at him. In her small, fair hand, she held a plump, oversized orange.

Now that she was no longer restrained, she had returned to her previous adorable self.

Still thinking about it?

Xu Lanqing smiled. He opened his mouth and made a biting motion, chewing exaggeratedly.

Juzi's footsteps faltered, and she was immediately pulled around the corner by Lin Rou. However, Xu Lanqing thought he saw a splash of orange liquid spray out.

He felt a strange tightness in his body and hurriedly shook his head.

"Whoosh—whoosh—"

The sound of high-speed flight echoed continuously as the fully armed Imperial Dragon Soul Master Legion finally stopped before the three of them. There were about two hundred soldiers, and it was clear they had also spotted Xu Lanqing and his group.

The leader was a young man in his twenties with a tall, upright frame. His chiseled, rugged face looked even more sharp and imposing from years of warfare, and his eyes were so piercing that one dared not meet his gaze.

He turned his head to scan the dilapidated town, quickly grasping the current situation, and then ordered his adjutant:

"First and Second Squads, rescue the wounded and clear the scene. Third Squad, stand guard. Fourth Squad, scout the perimeter for any stragglers!"

"Yes!"

At the command, the soldiers moved immediately without a hint of hesitation, leaving only a few personal guards by the man's side.

As expected of the Imperial Dragon Soul Master Legion, one of the five great protectors of the empire; to follow orders as strictly as a prohibition is easy to say, but very few can actually achieve it.

Finally, he turned to look at Xu Lanqing and the others.

"Hahaha!"

Before he even reached them, his bold, hearty laughter rang through the air.

"Hall Master Jing, you busy man, why aren't you in Mingde Hall working on your research instead of coming to this bitter, desolate borderland? And Elder Zheng, when did you start hanging around with Hall Master Jing?"

Xu Tianyuan strode toward them, the killing intent on his body completely retracted, and even his face looked less rigid.

Judging by his tone, he seemed quite familiar with Jing Hongchen.

"Duty called, so naturally, I came. Your Highness, it has been a long time; your cultivation has become even more refined. I estimate that in a few years, you'll be able to break through to the Title Douluo realm, right?"

Jing Hongchen cupped his hands and said with a smile.

"Greetings, Your Highness."

As for Zheng Zhan, he offered a greeting and then returned to being a wallflower.

"Still a long way off, nowhere near as impressive as you, Hall Master Jing."

Xu Tianyuan shook his head, then looked at Xu Lanqing with a hint of confusion in his eyes.

"And this is?"

"Your younger brother, Xu Lanqing, greets the Second Imperial Brother." Xu Lanqing cupped his hands in a bow.

Xu Tianyuan looked at Xu Lanqing in astonishment, then turned to glance at Jing Hongchen and Zheng Zhan. After confirming the truth, he sighed with emotion:

"So you are my fourth younger brother. Hmm, not bad looking, you've got a bit of the style I had back in the day. It's a pity I didn't know I'd run into you today, otherwise, I definitely would have prepared a welcome gift for you."

As he spoke, he looked at the town, which now resembled ruins, a trace of sorrow appearing on his face as he let out a sigh.

"I rushed as fast as I could, but I still didn't make it in time. It's just a tragedy for these innocent commoners, sigh."

He knew this was referring to the town being pillaged; anyone would feel distressed seeing such a sight.

Xu Lanqing could sense the sincerity in his words; at the very least, he couldn't detect any falsehood.

Combining this with what he knew of Xu Tianyuan, this man had no interest in the throne and was extremely affectionate and protective toward his siblings. He was single-mindedly focused on going to the battlefield to kill enemies and expand the territory for the empire. He was already the deputy commander of the Imperial Dragon Soul Master Legion and a rare military talent.

"Imperial elder brother, there is no need to blame yourself. What has happened cannot be undone, so we can only try our best to make amends. As for the blood debt, it must be repaid with the blood of the enemy!" Xu Lanqing comforted him.

"Good! Fourth brother speaks the truth!"

Xu Tianyuan shouted in approval, his thick right hand slapping down on Xu Lanqing's shoulder.

Xu Lanqing winced; that hurt!

Could he not be a little gentler? He had nearly been slapped into pieces.

After chatting with Xu Tianyuan for a while longer, a soldier suddenly ran in and handed him a note.

After Xu Tianyuan opened and read it, his brows furrowed tightly and his expression turned ugly. It was unclear what was written inside.

He forced a smile and said to Xu Lanqing, "Fourth brother, military affairs are urgent, so I must return immediately. Next time we meet, I will definitely bring you a welcome gift."

Xu Lanqing raised an eyebrow. You aren't setting a flag, are you?

"The battlefield is treacherous, imperial elder brother, please be careful."

"Don't worry, my life is tough, I won't die, hahaha!"

After saying this, Xu Tianyuan strode out, quickly gathered his troops, left about fifty men behind to handle the aftermath, and headed back toward the border.

Xu Lanqing watched him leave, silently pondering in his heart.

What could be so urgent? Did something go wrong at the border? Weren't they always holding the upper hand?

"Tap, tap~"

Light footsteps came from behind, and Xu Lanqing turned around.

Lin Rou and Juzi had returned, having changed into clean clothes and washed up. They had already stored the items they needed into their storage rings.

Xu Lanqing looked at Juzi. Her soft hair was plastered to her cheeks from the water, making her look like a lotus rising from the water, inexplicably adding a touch of cuteness.

"If you're all packed, let's go now. Hall Master Jing, I'll have to trouble you."

"Hehe, no trouble, no trouble."

A flight soul tool as thin as cicada wings emerged from behind Jing Hongchen, then instantly expanded, a golden film enveloping Xu Lanqing, Lin Rou, and her son.

Juzi widened her eyes, watching the golden film carry them rapidly into the sky, filled with curiosity.

She extended a delicate, slender index finger, biting her lower lip with her pearly teeth, looking conflicted as if she wanted to touch it but didn't dare.

"Feel free to touch it, it won't hurt you."

Xu Lanqing said with a chuckle.

Jing Hongchen: ...