Chapter 400 The Chosen One Huangtu · Flower and Night

Bai Zhanfang personally sent Li Honghe out of the villa.

The Bai family’s manor was very large.

The helicopter arranged by Dongcheng Wudi had stopped on the lawn in front of the villa when they walked out of the villa.

The helicopter would go straight to the airport.

During this time, the airport would temporarily open a military route. In about two hours, Li Honghe would reach Lin’an.

In addition to Li Honghe, there was another pa.s.senger on the helicopter.

Bai Qingqian.

She also had to go to the airport and fly straight to Guandong from the airport.

The two happened to go the same way, so they went together.

No one knew what was written in the text message that Li Honghe had received.

But anyone could feel the anxiety, dignity, as well as undisguised thoughts and doubts that he inadvertently showed from his eyes.

In Li Tianlan’s memory, he never seemed to have seen Li Honghe in this state.

He was sure something had happened, but he was not sure what had happened.

Everything in Lin’an was stable now.

Although Lonely Mountain had disappeared, the reconstruction of the Supervision Department had started on the ruins of Lonely Mountain. Li Tianlan really could not think of anything in Lin’an that would require Li Honghe to hurry back immediately.

“Grandpa, I’ll go back with you,” Li Tianlan said calmly.

…

It was not a question but an a.s.sertive sentence.

More than half a month ago, Li Honghe withstood one sword stroke from w.a.n.g Tianzong on Lonely Mountain.

Now, no one could escape unscathed from the Sword Emperor’s peak sword intent in the whole Dark World.

Li Honghe fell from the Invincible Realm and was seriously injured due to that blow. Today’s Li family had no Invincible Realm expert. Only Li Tianlan had the combat effectiveness of the Invincible Realm. If something really happened, he must go back.

“You’ll stay.”

Li Honghe glanced at him.

His tone was smooth and indifferent.

Li Tianlan became more and more puzzled. He looked at Li Honghe and did not speak.

“Actually, it’s nothing serious.”

Li Honghe was silent for a short while and then smiled. “I’m just a bit sensitive.”

His eyes fell on Bai Zhanfang and Dongcheng Wudi, and he said peacefully, “I know what you mean. This time the chaos in Eastern Europe was beyond my expectations, but it was within the plan of some people. In the long run, it’s like a chess game with multiple players. No matter how the chess game develops, it will end up in a new era. I have chess pieces in my hand, but I’m not qualified to sit in front of the chessboard and play. At most, I can make a small difference. However, these chess pieces might play a bigger role when they are in the hands of someone else. So, it doesn’t make sense for me to stay here.”

“Then why should you hurry back?”

Bai Zhanfang looked at Li Honghe, with unusual calmness in his tone.

Dongcheng Wudi heard some other meanings.

Li Tianlan also heard some other meanings from the calmness.

He turned to look at Bai Zhanfang.

Bai Zhanfang was looking at Li Honghe.

He looked relaxed, even with a smile on his face. The most senior member of the Decision Making Committee of Zhongzhou State was not outstanding in appearance, with dark skin and an ordinary face. Now, as he got older, wrinkles on his face increased continually. His body was already bent. He looked like an old farmer who had worked hard on the field with his back to the sky all his life. When he smiled, he was extremely honest and gentle.

But at this time, his eyes were clear, with some unexplainable vigilance.

Li Tianlan frowned.

“Because someone has arrived in Lin’an.”

Li Honghe chuckled. “I don’t have the qualification to partic.i.p.ate in the chess game in Eastern Europe. I’m going back to meet the one who is really qualified to play chess.”

The situation in Eastern Europe was chaotic, and the chess game was naturally chaotic.

Multiple players.

If this was a game, who was eligible to play in front of the chessboard?

w.a.n.g Tianzong, the Sword Emperor of Zhongzhou State, was qualified to do that.

The dominators of the superpowers in the Dark World were qualified to do that.

The people in charge of the Special Warfare Systems of major powers were qualified to do that.

From the outside world’s perspective, Qin Weibai of the Samsara Palace was qualified to do that. Though its headquarters collapsed and its Palace Master died, it was still powerful.

The Polar Ground Alliance fell apart, but this superpower that spread throughout Eastern Europe was initially the main chessboard of Eastern Europe, so Tyrant, the former leader of the Polar Ground Alliance, was also eligible to do that.

With the support of the Giant Group and the Academics, Li Tianlan, who was about to lead the Snowdance Corps to enter Eastern Europe on behalf of Zhongzhou State, was barely qualified to play chess.

Li Tianlan was here, so who else had arrived in Lin’an?

Li Honghe saw the vigilance in Bai Zhanfang’s eyes. He patted Li Tianlan’s shoulder with a smile.

The palm of the old man was heavy, carrying all his expectations and strength.

“This is my grandson.”

Li Honghe laughed lightly. “Anyway, Bai, I won’t hurt my grandson, will I? I am ashamed of many people in this life but have a clear conscience toward Zhongzhou State and the overall situation. I am in my eighties. In terms of offsprings, my greatest failure is that I have raised a son of great ambition, and my greatest success is that I have raised a grandson who gives me great hope. My days are numbered, and of course, I can only put all my hope on him.”

Bai Zhanfang’s eyes flashed. He looked at Li Honghe, as if deep in thought.

Dongcheng Wudi was also absorbed in thought.

“I’m leaving,” Li Honghe said.

He pulled Li Tianlan with the palm that still rested on his shoulder.

Li Tianlan followed Li Honghe in silence and sent him to the plane.

Li Honghe looked at Li Tianlan and asked with a smile, “Do you remember what I said when I first taught you to play chess?”

…

Li Tianlan’s eyes were blurred, and his mind went back to a time he didn’t want to recall but would never forget.

In that campsite surrounded by the primeval forest, his life, from childhood to adulthood, was extraordinarily boring but yet extremely rich.

From early morning to dusk, from spring and autumn to summer and winter, the day alternated with the night, and seasons changed. Unpalatable and disgusting food, Martial Arts and meditation that he practiced day and night, together with the repeated calligraphy practice and chessboard, filled his life. Meanwhile, he had to be restrained when facing the many tombstones of the Li family. Moreover, he bore doubts when looking at the Star Flag at the campsite and had in mind the longing for the future, as well as the speculation and wild thoughts about the Li family’s brilliant past and current shabby situation.

Maybe at the time, all this was very vague, or far away.

It wasn’t until Li Tianlan came to Huating, stepped into Heaven Capital, went to Lin’an, traveled for tens of thousands of kilometers in three years, and now arrived in Youzhou that he distinctly realized what he was taking on.

“Remember.”

He nodded and said quietly, “The chess game is chaos.”

The chess game was chaos.

That was the first sentence Li Honghe told him when he taught him to play chess.

“Yes.”

Li Honghe said, “The chessboard is very clear, so are the chess pieces. For Go, nothing is more peaceful than a game without anyone placing a piece on the board. Once a piece is on the board, it is chaos. Chinese chess has chariots, horses, cannons, p.a.w.ns, elephants, bodyguards, and commanders in chief. No matter which one moves first, it is also the beginning of chaos. The move of a piece also means that the situation starts to get out of control. How can one really control everything?

“Chinese chess and Go, in the final a.n.a.lysis, are games of two people. However, the real general trend is often a multi-party game. You cannot grasp the hearts of people, and naturally, you cannot grasp the general trend.”

Li Honghe looked at Li Tianlan softly and said calmly, “But you can at least grasp the pieces in your hand.

“So…”

He patted Li Tianlan’s shoulder again. “Don’t be in a hurry when you handle things. The more chaotic the situation is, the more you can’t be anxious, especially if your strength is at a disadvantage. On Martial Arts, you should bravely move forward and never step back, but in the general trend, it is wisdom to be able to endure and retreat. You have done a good job on this point before.”

Li Tianlan thought about it.

He said, “I didn’t seem to have done anything before?”

…

“That’s the best.”

Li Honghe laughed. “Doing nothing is like sitting on a chessboard but not moving any of the pieces. I am proficient in Chinese chess. In a game of Chinese chess, you are the strongest when you have placed the pieces but have not yet moved any of them, instead of how many pieces you have taken from your opponent or when a checkmate occurs.”

“You had potential in the past, but you lacked strength, power, and resources. The w.a.n.g family of Beihai, Kunlun City, and Prince Group all eyed covetously at you. What could you do? On scheming, wisdom, and ac.u.men, both w.a.n.g Tianzong and Gu Xingyun are far better than you. In this state, if you have done something, you would really let me down. If you did nothing, you had no flaw. If someone else wanted to hurt you in that case, he must break the rules.”

Li Honghe’s tone was still calm and quiet. Perhaps because he knew what Li Tianlan was going to face next, he said a lot, “You now have strength in your hands. In the chess games of Eastern European, you are barely qualified to play chess. But I still want you to be steady. Don’t be impatient and act rashly. Sometimes, don’t make a decision easily, even if you have the chance. The chaos in Eastern Europe is very delicate. From our current perspective, we can’t afford even a single mistake. Do you understand?”

“Hmm,” Li Tianlan answered obediently.

“So be it.”

Li Honghe said flatly, “Remember, on the chessboard of a multi-party game, striving for victory is a taboo. Striving for undefeated is the most correct way. It’s especially true on the chessboard where there are destined to be no winners.”

Li Tianlan turned his head and looked at Li Honghe quietly. After a long while, he whispered, “Does grandpa think that there will be no winner in the chaos in Eastern Europe?”

“Since it is chaos, how can there be winners? The winner is the one who stays undefeated in the end.”

Li Honghe’s voice was deep, and he looked up at the sky.

Mount Green’s air was fresh.

Lights were on in the manor.

The soft light never covered the stars in the sky.

When the starlight shed down, it was as bright and cold as the moonlight.

“This is not your era,” Li Honghe suddenly said, his voice extremely heavy, either due to depression or helplessness.

“It is not the era of the Li family, either. Just do your best in the chaos of Eastern Europe. You can do something, but don’t try in vain to change the general trend. Whether you win or lose in the chaos of Eastern Europe, there will be a new era for you.”

He silently stepped onto the helicopter.

The helicopter’s rotors began to roar in the night.

The signal lights were on.

The fuselage began to lift off.

The huge airflows blew the surrounding lawn into distinct shapes of waves, which continued to spread in all directions.

Li Tianlan was motionless in the sound of the fierce wind but squinted at the sky with his head up.

The helicopter gradually went away in the air and eventually disappeared.

Bai Zhanfang and Dongcheng Wudi came over.

Li Tianlan glanced at them.

Dongcheng Wudi said, “Just walk around freely.”

…

The manor was very large. There was no difference between talking in the secret room of the study and chatting in the outside world while walking about.

Li Tianlan nodded, walked behind Bai Zhanfang and Dongcheng Wudi, and did not speak for a while.

Dongcheng Wudi suddenly broke the silence and asked, “Where are the higher-ups of the Snowdance Corps now?”

…

The Snowdance Corps had the best members from the Dongcheng Clan, Sigh City, Jade Pool, and Mount Shu. But among them, quite a few important personnel were contacted by Li Tianlan himself. Even the cornerstone of the Snowdance Corps—the more than 15,000 ordinary elite warriors, was confirmed by Li Tianlan.

Both the Dongcheng Clan and Sigh City were giving Li Tianlan the greatest autonomy, intentionally or unintentionally.

Dongcheng Wudi could only grasp the tendency of Jade Pool.

The Discipliner and First Elder of Jade Pool were still in Jade Pool.

…

But Dongcheng Wudi didn’t pay attention to the two sword masters of Mount Shu, Cool Breeze, Drifting Cloud, or Deep Dream of Sigh City.

“Everyone is in Youzhou now.”

Li Tianlan added, “They are waiting for transfer orders.”

Before the transfer orders were issued, the presence of these masters in Youzhou was apparently against the rules. During the establishment of a Special Warfare Battalion, the name list of members fully respected the will of the new commander, which did not comply with the rules in itself.

Dongcheng Wudi nodded, silently thinking about the list of the Snowdance Corps.

Ling Shuangxue, the First Elder of Jade Pool, and Xu Changge, the Discipliner of Jade Pool.

The two represented the strength of Jade Pool. There were nearly 60 swordsmen and swordswomen of Jade Pool joined the Snowdance Corps with them, including Dongcheng Rushi, who had already entered the Thunder-shocking Realm, Bai Youming of the Bai family, and Xu Chu—the first disciple of Jade Pool, who set off as soon as he got better.

The two Half-step Invincible Realm experts—Phantom Sword Master Yun Qinxi and Yin and Yang Sword Master Han Chongyang of Mount Shu, joined the Snowdance Corps with about a hundred swordsmen.

Although Cool Breeze and Drifting Cloud from Sigh City had never reached the Half-step Invincible Realm, they were both top a.s.sa.s.sins. On some occasions, they were much more significant than the masters of the Half-step Invincible Realm.

Headed by the two, the a.s.sa.s.sin team formed by other members such as Deep Dream and Du Hanyin would become a sharp sword of the Snowdance Corps.

The strength of Shadow Sect was slightly weaker, but Hua Qingfeng’s strength was unquestionable. He also formed a force that could not be ignored.

The four major generals from the Border Control Corps who led the 40,000 troops to appear in the Sky Academy all entered the Snowdance Corps. They were also the combat power that should not be overlooked. Among them, Li Zonghu was not far from the peak of the Thunder-shocking Realm.

Moreover, there was Fire Man—a top master who had been in the Fire-flaming Realm in recent decades.

And there was Li Tianlan, who had the combat power of the Invincible Realm.

In the Snowdance Corps of 20,000 troops, more than three-quarters of the soldiers were the ones that Li Tianlan wanted.

In addition to the Snowdance Corps, there were also Tribulation, Situ Cangyue, Qin Weibai, and Cheng Huining—the new commander of the Arctic Ocean Command of Zhongzhou State…

These names absolutely were synonymous with strength. If we used cards as a metaphor, they were good cards as everyone thought.

Though Li Tianlan held these good cards, the situation that he was going to face was equally complicated, and the enemies that he was going to face were more powerful.

Dongcheng Wudi hesitated and finally couldn’t help asking, “Tianlan, do you have any plans about Eastern Europe?”

“Not yet.”

Li Tianlan thought about what his grandfather had just said and slowly shook his head. “I’ll take one step and look around before taking another. However, I cannot let go of Knights Templars and the Jiang family of South America. They have to give Zhongzhou State an explanation. As it happens, I have a feud with the Jiang family of South America. If I had the chance, I’d settle old scores.”

He vowed in the face of the sea in Heaven Capital more than three years ago that he must exterminate the Jiang family of South America in this lifetime.

Li Tianlan had never forgotten what had happened in those days.

“It’s right to direct against the Jiang family of South America and Knights Templars.”

Dongcheng Wudi nodded. It was these two force groups that caused the garrison of Zhongzhou State in Eyme to suffer heavy losses while they encircled and suppressed the Samsara Palace. For Li Tianlan, whether they besieged the Samsara Palace or attacked the garrison, he had reasons to direct against them.

“I’ll reveal the ins and outs of the matter to you.”

Dongcheng Wudi slowly said, “It is not only the Snowdance Corps that will enter Eastern Europe this time. There are also some free force groups that Zhongzhou State cannot fully control. The two Highnesses of Sigh City, Sword Emperor w.a.n.g Tianzong, and even Kunlun City have similar candidates that will be sent to Eastern Europe. No matter what they are pursuing, once they succeed, it will be beneficial to Zhongzhou State as a whole. Therefore, facing the enemies outside Zhongzhou State, our top combat power is not lacking. The other force group is neutral. The Terracotta Army you saw in Heaven Capital is almost all dispatched, and the Four Spirits Generals are now in Eastern Europe.

“Eastern Europe is very large, so this time, the strength mobilized by Zhongzhou State is much better than that in the decisive battle in Heaven Capital. You have to make the Jiang family of South America and Knights Templars pay the price and unite with the Arctic Ocean Command to put pressure on the Eastern European countries to increase the size of the garrison of Zhongzhou State. As long as these are done, the Snowdance Corps has accomplished its mission and gotten a pa.s.sing grade. And beyond that, doing a little more is a contribution.

“Tianlan, the chaos in Eastern Europe is more complicated than the decisive battle in Heaven Capital. It involves the right to speak of more than a dozen countries in the Dark World. The fight for mastery of the nations, the choices of influential families, and the entanglement of religions are more a mire than a pool of muddy water. Let me give you a suggestion. After you arrive in Eastern Europe, seize the opportunity to beat Knights Templars and the Jiang family of South America. Leave the rest alone. Leave everything alone. Finish the main task first and remain invincible. Then find opportunities to plot against others.”

Dongcheng Wudi gave a deep look at Li Tianlan and repeated it. “What I’m saying is, don’t worry about anything but your task. In the chaos, no one can see the big picture clearly. Great credit can turn into a trap in the blink of an eye. You are the commander of the Snowdance Corps, so on the battlefield of Zhongzhou State, you have to be responsible for the 20,000 elites of the Snowdance Corps.”

He paused and then stressed, “You’re only responsible for the 20,000 people!”

That was very clear.

He was the commander of the Snowdance Corps. When necessary, he had to give up everyone, including w.a.n.g Tianzong, Situ Cangyue, Tribulation, and even Qin Weibai.

That was the most conservative approach.

As long as he completed his task and fulfilled his duties, no matter how many people he abandoned, as long as they were not members of the Snowdance Corps, they sacrificed due to his decisions. In any case, it was hard to be related to treason.

Li Tianlan did not agree with such conservativeness.

But he could not refute.

In Eastern Europe, he would be responsible for the Snowdance Corps.

However, if Eastern Europe and the Snowdance Corps were linked, he would also be responsible for the Li family, the Dongcheng Clan, and all the force groups supporting him.

Li Tianlan would not give up something that could not be given up.

But he could only remain silent at this time.

Li Tianlan remained silent for a long time before whispering, “I will grasp the sense of propriety.”

…

“The Snowdance Corps won’t be a big problem. Just keep your eyes on the vice marshal and monitor as well as the small groups around them.”

Bai Zhanfang said, “The problem lies with w.a.n.g Tianzong himself.”

Speaking of w.a.n.g Tianzong, the old senator of Zhongzhou State had undisguised gravity in his voice.

Absolute force may not determine everything in the general trend, but at some subtle key points, it was enough to exert earth-shattering power.

Li Tianlan now had good cards in his hand.

But w.a.n.g Tian had a sword in his hand. At the critical moment, he may be able to smash the entire chessboard with one sword.

“It’s all right.”

Dongcheng Wudi hesitated for a while and then finally shook his head slowly.

“All right?”

Bai Zhanfang looked at Dongcheng Wudi.

For him, that was the most important thing.

“I have contacted Boss Qin.”

Dongcheng Wudi looked at Bai Zhanfang and then looked at Li Tianlan.

Li Tianlan raised his eyebrows slightly.

Dongcheng Wudi continued, “In the early stage of the chaos in Eastern Europe, w.a.n.g Tianzong is unlikely to take action. If he did, he would have the a.s.surance to confirm Tianlan’s treason after Tianlan’s death. That requires a good enough opportunity and also takes time. Otherwise, if he makes it too obvious, does he really see Zhongzhou State as nothing? While w.a.n.g Tianzong is plotting, Tianlan can open up the situation in Eastern Europe, and Boss Qin will also try her best to steer the situation. Although everything is risky, it is not completely out of control.”

There were always risks.

No matter what kind of ace in the hole they had, w.a.n.g Tianzong was an unreachable pinnacle for Li Tianlan and everyone in the Dark World.

That was the biggest risk.

“What if w.a.n.g Tianzong insists on taking action at the last moment?” Bai Zhanfang asked.

…

“The Samsara Palace has made preparations.”

Dongcheng Wudi’s tone was a little hesitant.

Li Tianlan suddenly spoke, “What preparations?”

He looked at Dongcheng Wudi with clear eyes.

Bai Zhanfang was also watching Dongcheng Wudi, his eyes focused and condensed.

“It is… the sword stroke of the Chosen One,” Dongcheng Wudi slowly said, his tone a bit confused.

He obviously didn’t know where that sword stroke came from. What he said was only a fact that he had heard. “The sword stroke of the real Chosen One at his peak. No matter how mighty w.a.n.g Tianzong is, it is impossible for him to block that blow unscathed.”

Bai Zhanfang fell silent.

Li Tianlan’s eyes were a bit unfocused.

The sword stroke of the Chosen One!

In a trance, Li Tianlan thought of many things.

He didn’t know how many people had heard that name.

But he trusted Qin Weibai.

So he could be sure that for hundreds of years, the Chosen One did exist, except for the first ancestor of the w.a.n.g family of Beihai.

Dongcheng Huangtu!

Li Tianlan once asked many people. He asked Dongcheng Hanguang, Dongcheng Wudi, Dongcheng Rushi, Dongcheng Qiuchi, Zhuang Huayang, Li Baitian, and Ning Qiancheng about it.

But no one seemed to have heard of the name, and all the answers he got were negative.

The Chosen One was unknown.

But how could the Chosen One be really unknown?

The history of Zhongzhou State seemed to lack a certain period. It was as if a large hand had wiped away all traces of his existence.

Li Tianlan did not think that no one knew Dongcheng Huangtu.

At least he didn’t think Dongcheng Hanguang and Dongcheng Wudi didn’t know that person.

He always thought that people who knew Dongcheng Huangtu were unwilling to mention the name.

Li Tianlan was curious about the Chosen One and also pursued him. But he did not think that the person would be able to interfere and influence his future.

After all, the glory of the Chosen One was a thing of the past.

So after fruitless pursuit, he gradually let go of his doubts and the curiosity of wanting to hear a story.

…

…

But now, the sword stroke of the Chosen One, to be precise, the one at his peak, suddenly appeared in the plan of the Samsara Palace.

Given the current vision of Li Tianlan, he could vaguely realize how powerful w.a.n.g Tianzong was. w.a.n.g Tianzong had almost surpa.s.sed the top limit of the Invincible Realm and had moved half a step out of the Invincible Realm. In this state, as long as w.a.n.g Tianzong took a small step forward, he was the real Chosen One for this era.

Only the sword stroke of the real Chosen One could suppress w.a.n.g Tianzong in this state.

Dongcheng Huangtu.

It could only be Dongcheng Huangtu.

For the first time, Li Tianlan felt closer to this mysterious Chosen One than he had ever felt before.

It turned out that he did have something to do with him.

At least now, his sword had become a critical hole card for him to retreat unscathed from Eastern Europe.

Was Dongcheng Huangtu alive?

If that was the case, since he was willing to attack w.a.n.g Tianzong, he couldn’t confine himself to Eastern Europe and Snow Country, with his boldness as the Chosen One.

…

If he genuinely died, where did his sword stroke come from?

Li Tianlan thought of Dongcheng Huangtu and the Samsara Palace. Naturally, he suddenly thought of the sword stroke that the Master of Samsara Palace displayed as she faced w.a.n.g Tianzong on Mount Dibing more than three years ago.

He did not witness the sword stroke.

But he heard about it later.

The sword stroke of the Master of Samsara Palace was the Fifteenth Blade · Samsara among the 24 Moves of Sword.

Qin Weibai once said that the Master of Samsara Palace herself was not at the top of the Divine List. But she had a sword stroke, which was enough to fight any master at the peak of the Invincible Realm.

Given the faint relationship between the Samsara Palace and Dongcheng Huangtu, Li Tianlan seemed to know whose sword intent the Master of Samsara Palace had imitated.

Nonetheless, the headquarters of the Samsara Palace was now destroyed.

Although the Master of Samsara Palace was not dead, she certainly knew w.a.n.g Tianzong’s current state and strength.

The peak of the Invincible Realm?

w.a.n.g Tianzong was no longer at the peak of the Invincible Realm. He had vaguely broken through another half step.

Could the sword stroke of the Master of Samsara Palace still threaten w.a.n.g Tianzong?

And the imitated sword intent…

It was also impossible to truly reach the level of the one the Chosen One displayed, not to mention the one at his peak.

Li Tianlan was convinced of this.

The sword stroke of the Master of Samsara Palace was mighty.

However, she absolutely could not reproduce the sword intent of Dongcheng Huangtu at his peak.

Where did this sword stroke come from? Did it really exist?

Li Tianlan was a little confused.

It seemed that from this moment on, the name ‘Dongcheng Huangtu’ was no longer a story in his mind.

This name was a.s.sociated with the Samsara Palace, the Master of Samsara Palace, Qin Weibai, the Dongcheng Clan, and him.

Very subtle and alienated.

Li Tianlan shook his head violently.

Dongcheng Wudi noticed Li Tianlan’s anomaly and asked casually, “What happened?”

…

“Marshal.”

Li Tianlan looked at Dongcheng Wudi. He took a deep breath, and his eyes became more tranquil and serious than ever before. “I want to know someone.”

“Go ahead.”

Dongcheng Wudi nodded.

“Who is Dongcheng Huangtu?” he asked, looking into Dongcheng Wudi’s eyes.

…

Bai Zhanfang was moving forward. Hearing that, he paused slightly and turned to glance at Dongcheng Wudi.

Dongcheng Wudi’s body stiffened for a moment, and he subconsciously avoided Li Tianlan’s gaze.

Li Tianlan was watching Dongcheng Wudi.

The eyes of Dongcheng Wudi and Bai Zhanfang met and immediately separated.

…

The place once called fairyland seemed to have vitality no matter how hard it was. .h.i.t.

In Lin’an, the Lonely Mountain that had been closed for more than three years was turned into ruins overnight.

In the voice of the people, the sign with words ‘military forbidden area’ on it had been put up at the fastest speed, and many engineering teams had started to work against the clock to set up a special warfare supervision department in southeast Zhongzhou State.

More than a dozen of the Li family’s remaining members became the most serious supervisors, urging the construction teams’ schedules while guarding the Li family’s cemetery, the only place on Lonely Mountain that had not been damaged in that battle.

That huge cemetery was in the rear of Lonely Mountain. Now Lonely Mountain had become flat, but that cemetery was still built at a high place. From above, it seemed to be overlooking the Ministry of Supervision under construction.

Once again, greenery and flowers appeared on the ruins of Lonely Mountain.

The flowers and plants grew fast, and with great vitality, they were very pleasing in the busy construction scene.

The members of the Li family had left Qin Weibai’s villa. They had rebuilt a few humble houses between the cemetery and the construction site, guarding here every day.

At dead of night, the huge cemetery, humble huts, unfinished construction site, gradually flourishing flowers, together with the West Lake not far away, were surrounded by the cold starlight. If anyone were standing in the Li family’s cemetery and looking down, he would find that it looked like a bleak but very lively picture.

A man and a woman appeared in the huge cemetery.

The two came from the foot of the mountain by stepping on the water. Avoiding the perception of everyone in the Li family, they entered the cemetery.

The slope of the cemetery was obvious, and the degrees increased as the cemetery extended upward.

The man with a simple appearance and a simple temperament walked to the highest part of the cemetery, sitting at random on a tombstone and watching the large cemetery in his sight. With a wandering mind, he remained silent for a long time.

The silence was a kind of power.

It was also a kind of indescribable momentum.

He sat silently on the tombstone.

But the whole cemetery seemed to become real in his silence. It was so real that it seemed to be out of this illusory world.

Beside the man silently stood a beautiful woman in a fiery red dress.

The woman was in her thirties, mature and well-developed. She had a face that was supposed to be cold and glamorous, but it became charming like water as she stood by the man’s side. She stood beside the man, looking at where she was going to live next. No one knew what she thought when her eyes flashed.

“What do you think of this place?” the man asked suddenly.

…

“Not bad.”

The woman smiled. She stared at the man’s face obsessively, with respect and deep tenderness in her eyes. “The flowers here are blooming well. When no one speaks, I can hear the flowers blooming.”

“Very well, indeed.”

The man smiled and said, “But it’s not the best. The flowers here don’t match you.”

“Hmm?”

The woman tilted her head and looked at him in doubt.

The man narrowed his eyes. In the dark night, his eyes were a little cold. “There used to be one of the most beautiful flowers here.”

The woman seemed to feel a change in the man’s temperament and asked carefully, “What about now?”

…

“Right now?”

The man calmly said, “It was taken away.”

After remaining silent for a while, he continued, “But it doesn’t matter. Stay here, and I will bring the flower back to you sometime later.”