Father Traps Son

"Originally it was only thirty percent, but now it has increased to at least fifty," State Preceptor Sun said, glancing toward the Coiling Dragon Desert. "That is, if the anomalies in the desert haven't exceeded the intelligence I've gathered."

He Chunhua walked back, his expression gradually hardening. "Fine, I'll go!"

The soldiers below looked on, their gazes instantly filled with even greater respect.

The He brothers were shocked. "Father, why go to such lengths!"

They moved to step forward, but were shouted back by a sharp "Halt!" from He Chunhua.

The Governor looked on with mild irritation. "What kind of unseemly display is this? Do you have any idea how many eyes are on us?" He then turned to Zeng Feixiong and ordered, "Move out!"

The troop of nearly three hundred men began their march north along the imperial road.

Only then did He Chunhua sigh and say to his sons, "I have wasted twenty years in this borderland, but you are still young; you must not be buried here as well. If this mission succeeds, your starting point will be the Great Capital!"

Twenty years of personal experience had taught him that in a remote, poverty-stricken place, even the greatest talent would have no way to shine. Taking a risk to return the He family to the Great Capital was, in truth, a bargain.

"The country is in turmoil, but here is a paradise," He Lingchuan couldn't help but interject. "Dad, Blackwater City isn't bad at all. A vague, ethereal treasure hunt isn't worth risking your life!"

Truly, this place was great; he loved it to bits. Even if the wind and sand were a bit harsh, the food a bit coarse, and the mutton a bit greasy... Hey, can we not go looking for trouble?

If the Governor kicked the bucket, who would take over? Who could keep things under control? The family's good life would come to an end.

"Serving the country is a matter of course. You'll understand when you're older." The truth was, with the State Preceptor here and the King's decree in hand, there was no refusing. This child, sixteen years old and still so naive! He Chunhua patted his eldest son's shoulder and turned to He Yue. "While I am away, you will assist in managing the prefecture's affairs. You have always been steady and strategic. If I do not return, you must take good care of the He family and your mother."

He Lingchuan couldn't help but turn to Sun Fuping. "Can't we wait? We can find someone else to lead the team!"

"We could wait, but every official we bring in would have to undergo this test." Sun Fuping pointed to the large water vat. "An army's expedition relies on the first burst of spirit; by the third, it is exhausted. By then, we would be unable to contend with the Coiling Dragon Desert."

Morale was at its peak right now; if they tried and failed a few more times, the soldiers would be spent.

Besides, the troop had already set out; how could an arrow be pulled back once it had left the bow?

He Yue's eyes turned red. He grabbed his father's hand, pulled him aside, and lowered his voice. "Dad, this is a trap they've set!"

"Do you think I don't know?" He Chunhua shook his head slightly. He looked at He Lingchuan, who had followed them, and after a long moment of hesitation, said, "Chuan'er, you are coming with me."

These words struck like a thunderbolt, making He Lingchuan's head buzz.

"What? Dad, I..." I don't want to go!

Why should he follow them on a suicide mission?

Wasn't He Chunhua fond of his eldest son? Why call him along to die?

"Since the day you were born, the Great Shaman said you were a child of fortune, capable of turning danger into safety." He Chunhua seemed to find it difficult to speak, but continued, "For over a decade, the He family's prosperity has proven this true. This trip to the Coiling Dragon is unpredictable, and I... I need your good luck! Besides, your martial prowess is not bad. With my own kin by my side, I can rest easy."

He gripped He Lingchuan's arm, subconsciously glanced at Sun Fuping twice, and whispered, "I have a feeling this is a great opportunity for the He family. Chuan'er, my safety depends on you!"

He Lingchuan felt as if his mouth were overflowing with bitterness. He wanted to say no, but could he?

Since the founding of the Great Yuan, the state had been desperate to instill the ethics of ruler and subject, father and son, just like any other regime. He Chunhua was worried about his own safety and wanted his eldest son to accompany him—wasn't that perfectly normal?

The Governor of Xun Prefecture had done even worse, sending his own son directly into danger. Compared to that, what was He Chunhua doing?

Besides, with everyone watching, could He Lingchuan really open his mouth and say "No"?

He could.

"Dad, I don't..."

He Lingchuan was just about to unleash the unreasonable nature of his original self, but unfortunately, He Chunhua knew this son too well. He didn't give him a chance to consider, struggle, or refuse, preemptively announcing to Sun Fuping in a loud voice, "Preceptor, Chuan'er will accompany me!"

The voice was incredibly resonant, causing the vanguard to glance over.

There, it was settled.

It also choked back He Lingchuan's final refusal.

He Chunhua patted his eldest son's shoulder, sighing, "Good lad!"

He Yue watched from the side, dumbfounded. While it wasn't uncommon for fathers and sons to go to war together, hadn't his father always favored his big brother? Why would he insist on bringing him along for such a dangerous mission?

It was clear that his brother's face was written with refusal.

Nian Songyu had heard it too and waved at He Lingchuan. "Excellent, we shall get better acquainted on the road."

What else could He Lingchuan say? Looking at Nian Songyu's cheerful smile, his mouth felt dry and astringent. "Fine, I'll go prepare some supplies."

The mission to see off the expedition had turned into seeing off his father, and finally, into seeing off himself.

One could only say that life was full of surprises.

The person his second brother was tearfully telling to be careful on the road had turned out to be himself.

He Yue grabbed his arm and suddenly lowered his voice. "Watch out for those two."

"Do you think I don't know?" He Lingchuan rolled his eyes. "Uncle Hao, I leave the safety of the second one to you."

Uncle Hao nodded.

He and Nian Songyu had bad blood, and for this journey into the Coiling Dragon Desert, He Chunhua had decisively kept him out of it to avoid trouble.

He Lingchuan envied his exclusion, but for now, he could only offer a dry smile and wave goodbye.

Looking at He Chunhua one last time, a thought suddenly occurred to him:

Is there a possibility that this father's affection for his eldest son isn't as deep as the original He Lingchuan believed?

Recalling the memories of the original body, this father was thoughtful and thorough, yet bold enough to take risks; he rarely hesitated, truly a man destined for great things. But!

There was always a "but." Whenever his father took a risk, it seemed his eldest son was always by his side.

Had his status as a "lucky charm" actually been verified?

The Coiling Dragon Desert had yet to enter its sandstorm season, so Red Cliff Road was teeming with people.

With at most a dozen days left until the deadline, everyone was in a frantic rush.

He Lingchuan had swapped his mount and loaded up on supplies before setting out; now, draped in a white robe, only his face remained exposed.

As the sun rose, the desert heat became terrifying. After walking for a quarter of an hour without any shade, He Lingchuan felt his entire body burning; he suspected that if he poured water on himself, it would instantly turn to steam.

In truth, he hadn't even reached the true desert yet. Low-lying sea buckthorn, Ammopiptanthus, and needlegrass were common sights, with the occasional saxaul tree and purple willow scattered about.

As the essential route for entering and exiting Blackwater City, the sides of the road were littered with everything: broken crates, scraps of fabric, bottles, and the half-rotted carcass of a jackal. He Lingchuan even spotted a small tuft of black hair snagged on a patch of needlegrass, fluttering in the wind—it looked suspiciously human.