Lord of the Desert

Chapter 527 Taking Responsibility for the Country
After meeting on April 13, Xiao Chu, under the protection of Zhou Wenyang and Hu Zhuang, rode swiftly from the capital to inspect the Shengyu Army frontline in Zhanzhou.

The locals left, but the outsiders stayed.

People like Jin Hai, Gao Junxia, ​​and Cui Yutang, as well as people like Xi Jing, Wu Ruyi, and Bai Jiaci, were all visiting Shenjing for the first time. Moreover, with the Dragon Summoning Festival approaching on the first day of the fifth lunar month, they naturally wanted to try their luck before leaving.

Taking advantage of Xiao Chu's absence, Tang Xingqing seemed to have made a decision, setting aside her pride as a prodigy and trying to integrate into the Jin Hai and Xi Jing circles as an ordinary martial artist. At least on the surface, they were relatively harmonious.

Days pass like flowing water.

With the company of his old friends, Hong Fan had a rare moment of leisure. He didn't want to think about anything but traveling with his companions to hunt eagles and dogs. Every day, his ears were filled with laughter and his eyes were filled with smiles. The gloom that had accumulated in his heart had unknowingly dissipated.

Until the morning of April 20th.

Liao An, the eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, personally went to the residence to summon Hong Fan on behalf of His Majesty.

In the late afternoon, around 3 PM, in the warm pavilion behind the Wenhua Hall.

This pavilion is compact in layout and has no name plaque, suggesting it was probably an informal place.

Hong Fan followed Eunuch Liao with small, quick steps. In the distance, he saw a man standing proudly with his hands behind his back outside the threshold of the warm pavilion, looking just like a door god.

“That is the Duke of Wei.”

Liao An said in a low voice.

Even without his introduction, Hong Fan could guess the man's identity—Xiao Long, the Yuan Magnetic Master ranked 100th on the Earth Ranking, also known as "Purple Qi Comes from the East," who was said to be the emperor's concubine cousin, inseparable like a shadow.

The group quickly approached.

Hong Fan bowed to Xiao Long, but the latter closed his eyes slightly and did not respond.

"The Duke of Wei has always been meticulous."

Liao Anyuan said.

Hong Fan nodded, knowing that Zi Qi Dong Lai probably felt that the cupped-hand salute was not substantial enough, and simply followed Eunuch Liao's directions and went straight into the hall.

The first thing that reaches your nose is the scent of ink from aged books.

The window lattice is carved with bird patterns, filtering out strong light; the gold brick floor has many wear marks, indicating frequent use.

In the corner, wisps of pale smoke emanate from the beak of a bronze crane-shaped incense burner, creating a serene and transcendent atmosphere.

Turn past the entrance hall.

Against the north wall stood a large rosewood table, its mother-of-pearl inlay shimmering with a neon light.

A middle-aged man, over fifty years old, dressed in bright yellow casual clothes, sat cross-legged on a soft couch, covered with a thin velvet cloak.

This was the first time Hong Fan had met the reigning emperor.

He possesses martial arts skills, but is only at the strength level;

The whites of his eyes were dry and yellowish, with bloodshot streaks, and could hardly be described as deep-set;
He had an average build, with flabby upper arms and abdomen, and was hardly dignified.

Without his clothes and surroundings, one would never guess he was the emperor.

"Kim Hae Hong Beom greets Your Majesty."

Following the eunuch's instructions, Hong Fan bowed deeply three times to the ground.

During this time, the emperor was also sizing up the newcomers.

"The first innate talent, the crown of geniuses, indeed an extraordinary appearance."

He praised it.

"Take a seat."

His tone was calm yet sincere, carrying a condescending admiration.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Hong Fan sat down on the soft stool next to him, knowing that he should have topped the list of the most outstanding talents at the end of April.

This matter was originally ambiguous.

Without the power of the Mindless Spirit and the Heart of Light, he felt his chances of winning in the arena were not as good as Yi She's; but in a no-rules life-or-death battle, with Sand Wing's current top speed of over 800 kilometers per hour and his flight maneuverability, he was at least invincible.

"Yi She has really suffered because of you this time. He probably won't even be able to cultivate for several months," Xiao Ce said with a smile.

"Your Majesty, fists and feet have no eyes, so this is not what I wished for."

Hong Fan's words were not a lie, but came from the bottom of his heart.

In the six years since he was born, he has faced the snake people of Jinhai, the lords of the three counties, the insect race of Shengzhou, and the planetary upheavals within Ziwuchang that are beyond human control. How could he possibly consider a "half-grown child" as an opponent?
Yi She is very strong, strong in that his martial arts surpass those of all the top geniuses in recent years.

Yi She is also very weak, weak in experience, personality, willpower, and skills.

As a result, martial arts became his only support; once that was broken, he was left disoriented, helpless, and vulnerable.

"If that's the case, now that I've seen you in person, I know that the Yi family brat is no match for you."

Xiao Ce sighed.

"That is why I have invited you here today; I have a matter to entrust to you."

Hong Fan listened attentively and respectfully.

"I've heard that you have a textile business in Hezhou. I suppose you've also heard about the situation in Juling and Zhenbeiwei?"

Xiao Ce said.

Hong Fan nodded.

During his two years living in Shenjing, he learned about many old stories that were unknown to ordinary people.

The Giant Spirits are the strongest individual fighters among the alien races that the Great Hua has faced. Their superior terrain allows them to exert pressure on Hezhou, Qingzhou, and the Hejian Kingdom, thus shaping the fierce and resilient folk customs of the northern frontier.

Two hundred years ago, the Xiao clan's power was greatly reduced due to the Rebellion of the Thirteen Kings, and they also lost two founding martial saints. The imperial court was preoccupied with its own affairs, which resulted in the four million people of the thirteen cities in the northern border of Hezhou maintaining a unified military and political system for a long time under the pressure of foreign tribes.

After the formation of the Zhenbei Three Guards, the central government made several attempts to centralize power, but the officials sent to the area north of the Kuaiye Mountains were rendered powerless and could only be left to their own devices.

"In recent years, the war in the northern frontier has been incessant, and it intensified last winter; since March, there have been successive major battles, and several border cities are on the verge of collapse. This year alone, the imperial court has transported more than one million taels of silver to the north of Hezhou Mountain."

Xiao Ce's tone was deep and solemn, his brows furrowed.

"For many years, the thirteen cities north of Hezhou Mountain have been far away and almost like one country. The court has been trying to recover them. At the end of March, Zuowei Fengsui City was besieged for seven days. The city's captain, Huan Chengji, was seriously injured and crippled, and more than half of the soldiers were lost. After a long tug-of-war, the three guards of Zhenbei finally relented and agreed to let the court appoint a captain for the city and send reinforcements to garrison it."

Hong Fan is probably aware of the above situation.

In recent years, the Martial Arts Academy has tried to expand its influence in the northern frontier, but General Kou Fei of the Northern Garrison is as stubborn as a rock in a latrine, and his plans have always been thwarted.

"This is not the first time the court has made such an attempt, but in the past, the generals sent out were often unable to leave their government offices, wasting a lot of money but achieving nothing."

Xiao Ce's plan was finally revealed.

"I am well aware that this is no ordinary matter, and therefore requires an extraordinary person. Eight days ago, the Crown Prince personally witnessed your battle with Yi She and praised you highly upon his return. Afterwards, I also reviewed your past deeds, especially your mission record in the Martial Arts Academy over the past two years, which can be described as perfect."

“Hong Fan, you will now be the leader of the elite. You have prestige, ability, martial prowess, battlefield experience, and experience in dealing with alien races. More importantly, you are young and adventurous yet steady.”

"This is a heavy responsibility, but both the Emperor and the Crown Prince favor you. Do you dare to shoulder this burden for the country?"

These words, spoken slowly by the emperor, carried a powerful and overwhelming force that was difficult for ordinary people to resist.

The warm room fell silent for a moment.

It was so quiet that Hong Fan could hear the soft sound of incense ash falling from the bronze incense burner shaped like a crane.

Xiao Ce was not lying.

He did acknowledge and even admire Hong Fan's abilities, and he also needed someone to act as a wedge to penetrate the northern frontier.

However, the biggest motivation for choosing Hong Fan was not what was mentioned above, but because Fengsui City was remote enough to separate this young man from his beloved eldest daughter.

As a father, he could not accept his daughter marrying a man who would die young.

Hong Fan's brain was thinking at full speed with the help of Wu Xiang Ling.

He has many things he wants to do, and doing things at Dahua requires both individual effort and collective strength.

He used to pursue both aspects simultaneously, even emphasizing the strategic aspect due to his accumulated knowledge.

However, after experiencing the realm of impermanence, Hong Fan realized that his own knowledge reserves were insufficient to rely on, and instead placed greater emphasis on the martial arts system native to the Great Hua.

(End of this chapter)