Chapter 2636

In Ju City, there were who-knows-how-many spies from external forces.

But He Lingchuan didn't care, because it was unavoidable, and the strong wouldn't be troubled by such matters.

Besides, he was in a good mood now.

￥￥￥￥￥

When He Lingchuan woke up in the Panlong World, the sun was already beginning to slant westward.

He didn't know how many hours he had slept.

He thought he might have wrongly blamed the Great Square Vase. The excuse this guy found for him was actually quite good.

No matter what other reasons, his reappearance after five years would certainly alert Panlong. To imagine integrating into this city as before would inevitably require much more effort.

But the "awakening" of the Tiger Wing General was personally entrusted by Zhong Shengguang to preside over by the Great Priest of Mansai, with him watching nearby; when He Lingchuan opened his eyes, he naturally took up this thread of trust from five years ago, needing no further proof, saving time, effort, and thought.

He naturally thought: if he had not planned to accept the second trial of the Fate Divine Seal by the blessed pool in the Secret Realm and not jumped into the pool, would the "Tiger Wing General" of the Panlong World then sleep forever and never wake again?

Without him, what would the ultimate fate of the Panlong World be?

What would become of Zhong Shengguang, the Red General, and the morale of Panlongcheng?

These thoughts only flashed through his mind before being kicked away.

Because he had come, once again tightly binding his fate with the Panlong World.

The Great Square Vase now wanted to interrupt this bond at any time, but it was no longer so easy.

He Lingchuan turned over and jumped up, stretched, and felt utterly refreshed, as if he had inexhaustible strength.

He turned his neck and said:

"Come in."

The courtyard gate creaked open as Hu Min entered, handing him a talisman token:

"The king's golden talisman token has arrived; you may now mobilize the Tiger Wing Army. Also, the gate panel has already returned to camp."

"Let's go." He Lingchuan had already fastened his belt and readjusted his cloak, then walked out.

Just as he left the Silver House area, he saw several people hurrying past ahead, one of whom looked very familiar—it was Xiao Pang's father.

When He Lingchuan previously lived in the Wooden House area, Xiao Pang's family had also been his neighbors. Later, Panlong conquered the Xiyun State and developed Yuheng City; Xiao Pang's father, as a military auditor, also went with the army to Yuheng City, later bringing his wife and children there.

Now the Mao River Plains had already fallen, so Xiao Pang's father naturally withdrew from Yuheng City and returned to Panlongcheng.

In just five years, he looked as if he had aged twenty years, his waist bent, his shoulders slightly slumped.

Hu Min also saw him.

After these people passed, he softly said to He Lingchuan:

"His son sacrificed himself."

He Lingchuan startled: "What?"

In reality, over a dozen years had passed; he suddenly realized his memory had drifted.

When he first entered Panlongcheng, Xiao Pang was only five; when he was last kicked out of the Panlong World by the Great Square Vase, Xiao Pang was already ten or so, having grown tall and strong, no longer the little bean sprout of before.

He still remembered the last words this boy had said to him:

"General, when can I join the Great Wind Army?"

Because at that time, Xiao Pang had already successfully squeezed into the Panlong Army, becoming an honored new recruit. His goal, like countless Panlong youths, was to join the Great Wind Army, to go to battle and kill enemies, to defend every inch of the motherland's territory.

"Still a hundred and eight thousand miles away." He Lingchuan replied then, "First master your hundred-step pier-willow archery."

This boy's archery was poor.

Xiao Pang refused to give up: "Then can I at least join the Ximo Legion?"

"At all?" He Lingchuan laughed and scolded, "You're settling for second best?"

He never expected that, upon just returning to the Panlong World, he would hear the news of Xiao Pang's death.

"When did it happen?"

"Last spring, at Langse Lake of the Liangchuan River." Hu Min whispered, "We lost over ninety good warriors."

"Which unit was Xiao Pang in?"

"In the Ximo Legion. He died at twenty-one; I heard his family had already arranged a marriage." When the general was absent, the Ximo Legion had another commander.

So that boy had finally joined the Ximo Legion. He Lingchuan closed his eyes and exhaled a long, suffocated breath.

The hot-blooded youth ultimately spilled his hot blood upon this land.

He walked in silence until he exited the South Gate of Chengnan, mounted his swift horse, then said to Hu Min: "On the way, tell me about your recent situation these past years."

"Yes."

Panlong valued military merit, strictly rewarding according to achievement. In wartime, the original subordinates of the Tiger Wing General were all promoted quickly, many already able to stand alone as commanders.

He Lingchuan listened and listened, always feeling several people were missing, so he casually asked:

"What about Liu Tiao? She always got promoted faster than Menban."

Liu Tiao was universally recognized as a heroine not yielding to men, brave and wise.

Hu Min's smile faded, and he whispered: "Half a year ago, Liu Tiao died heroically while covering the retreat of the main force in Bengu Valley."

He Lingchuan's steps halted, his fist clenched hard: "Died heroically? Liu Tiao?"

He had just returned to Panlongcheng, felt the atmosphere was off, but this bad news truly made him incredulous.

"With enemy forces vastly outnumbering ours, Liu Tiao led her troops to fight until only a few remained, still unable to break out. She refused to fall into enemy hands, therefore..." Although it had been over half a year since Hu Min mentioned this, his voice remained bitter, "She committed suicide."

Liu Tiao had glorious military achievements in the Panlong Army, long recorded by the enemy. If captured, her fate would be clear as day to him.

She chose suicide to preserve her loyalty and martyrdom.

A red light flashed in He Lingchuan's hand; the roadside grass clumps were sliced flat with a whoosh.

The violent blade aura covered nearly a hundred square meters, its aftershock even striking several trees nearby, which slowly toppled.

Passing travelers cried out in alarm, making way in haste.

At this moment, the air seemed to freeze.

But from Hu Min's perspective, the general's face showed neither shock nor fury, his expression barely changed, only the veins at his temples twitched a few times and his breathing grew lighter.

After a few breaths, He Lingchuan continued walking: "Who was her opponent in that battle?"

"Pang Chiye. He was originally a commander of the Suluo Kingdom, but due to his outstanding military achievements, he was recommended to Lingxu City."

He Lingchuan nodded: "I know him."

The willow branch is gone. In the Panlong World, as in reality, once life ends, it never returns.

She was a member of He Lingchuan's first squad after he entered the Panlong World, a true comrade-in-arms who fought side by side with him, sharing battles, bloodshed, and growth.

He Lingchuan's archery was taught by her hand in hand, and he still remembers every clear mockery from Willow Branch. As close comrades, every member of the Broken Blade Squad was rescued by her from sieges and had their lives saved by her.

Although he knew war was unpredictable, He Lingchuan never expected……

(End of chapter)