Start with a red name

"Does one of Dong Guan's trusted advisors want to see me?"

Geng Xuan, who had just returned to camp, was quite surprised to hear this report.

He did not participate in the crucial battle that had just ended, which completely shattered Dong Guan's backbone.

In fact, to give Liu Mu ample freedom, Geng Xuan did not even appear on the front lines of the battlefield.

But he didn't stay in the military camp to wait for the results.

Geng Xuan chose to be located dozens of miles behind the battlefield, both to know the exact outcome as soon as possible and to ensure the safety of the Ministry of Petroleum, so that he could immediately appear to cover the retreat.

With the battle results fully secured and the situation between the enemy and ourselves completely clear, Geng Xuan only glanced at the inventory of the battlefield and the collection of prisoners before returning to the camp without lingering for a moment.

To his surprise, as soon as he returned to camp, Song Mingzhu brought him a piece of news that sounded very strange at first glance.

Song Mingzhu's expression was also somewhat strange.

He then recounted the whole story in more detail.

"...They were first discovered by a scout who was sent out to the east..."

Song Mingzhu had barely begun speaking when Geng Xuan interrupted him, asking, "Them? How many of them are there?"

Song Mingzhu said:

"Two people appeared, but only one of them was Dong Guan's trusted advisor."

That man was named Zhang Shaohe, and he was quite famous under Dong Guan.

If there's something he can't decide on, Dong Guan will often ask for his opinion.

Many people in our army know him.

I've already confirmed with people who have dealt with him, and it's definitely Zhang Shaohe.

"There was another person with him. According to Zhang Shaohe, he was a close friend of his and had no relation to Dong Guan."

At this point, Song Mingzhu paused, then said:
"...I also checked with some of my companions, and they really didn't have any impression of this person either."

The companions he found to do the identification and confirmation were all former subordinates of Dong Guan, and they were all well-connected.

These people all say they have no recollection of it, so they might not really be from Dong Guan's line of work.

However, this is even stranger.

A look of curiosity appeared on Geng Xuan's face.

Song Mingzhu continued:

"...Although it's a bit strange, if that's all there is to it, then it's fine."

But Zhang Shaohe, in order to get the chance to meet you, made a startling statement, saying that he was the number one contributor to our successful scheme this time.

"The number one hero? Him?" Geng Xuan looked astonished.

Song Mingzhu nodded and continued:
"I was also very surprised at the time, and even thought that he was making a shocking statement to get our attention."

But he immediately followed up by saying that the reason Dong Guan didn't launch an attack immediately, but instead delayed for more than ten days, was because of his misleading advice.

As he spoke, Song Mingzhu also briefly recounted Zhang Shaohe's original words of persuasion to Dong Guan.

Geng Xuan, who already found it very strange, became even more curious after hearing Song Mingzhu's story.

How could someone who is completely unrelated and a complete stranger be willing to betray their former master to help them on such an important matter? What kind of spirit is this?
Geng Xuan didn't think Zhang Shaohe would fabricate such a story, because it was easy to verify now.

Once Liu Mu and his men escort this new batch of prisoners back to camp, they will be able to easily find out the truth.

and so……

"Why did he do that?" Geng Xuan asked.

Song Mingzhu said helplessly, "I asked him too, but he refused to tell me, saying that he would only tell me the truth after he saw you."

After listening to Song Mingzhu's story, Geng Xuan's interest was completely piqued.

He nodded and said, "Then let's meet him and see what he's really up to."

"Yes." Song Mingzhu accepted the order and immediately turned and left the room.

Soon, he came in with a man.

As soon as the man entered the room, he fixed his eyes on Geng Xuan and stared intently at him with a look of curiosity and inquiry.

In normal interactions, such behavior is actually somewhat impolite.

This person, however, did not care at all.

Geng Xuan asked, "You're Zhang Shaohe?"

"Yes," the man opposite replied casually, then immediately asked in return:

"You are the commander of the 'Black Wind Army'?... Your name has been widely known lately, and I'm finally able to meet you in person."

"Have we met before?" Geng Xuan asked.

"Never seen it before," Zhang Shaohe shook his head.

"You met him indirectly?" Geng Xuan asked again.

"I don't know him," Zhang Shaohe shook his head again.

"Then why did you say those things in front of Dong Guan?"

After a moment of silence, Zhang Shaohe said, "I don't want to lie to you, but I was actually tricked."

"Oh?" Geng Xuan raised an eyebrow. "You got scammed?"

As he spoke, he immediately thought of something and asked, "The companion who came with you?"

Zhang Shaohe nodded.

Although Geng Xuan was very curious about the other one, he did not summon him immediately.

Instead, he stared at Zhang Shaohe and asked, "What brings you two here at this time? To finalize this contribution?"

Zhang Shaohe did not answer the question directly, but instead said:
"We have nowhere to go now and seek your protection."

"Blessing?"

Zhang Shaohe turned to Geng Xuan and asked, "Dong Guan must have suffered heavy losses with the Xuan You Iron Cavalry that he dispatched today, right?"

Geng Xuan nodded, having already understood the meaning of "protection" in Zhang Shaohe's words.

When Dong Guan discovers that Zhang Shaohe's advice has led to such a disastrous defeat, he will likely want to kill him no matter where he is to vent his anger.

Even if he escapes from Xuanyou and Erzhou, he will have nowhere to go and nowhere to escape from Dong Guan, who is determined to hunt him down to the end.

At this moment, in heaven and on earth, the only place that could save his life was here.

Having figured it out, Geng Xuan didn't say anything more, but instead asked Song Mingzhu beside him:
"Is his companion there too?"

Song Mingzhu nodded: "I'll wait outside the door."

"Bring him in too."

Geng Xuan really wanted to see what kind of approach this was.

Soon, Song Mingzhu walked in with another person.

In an instant, his pupils dilated.

Because the person standing next to Song Mingzhu was so unexpected that Geng Xuan was completely unprepared.

Caught completely off guard, their eyes showed a noticeable change.

Although, this process was very brief.

But the person opposite him, just like Zhang Shaohe had been earlier, stared at him intently the moment he entered the room, as if trying to see something out of him.

Geng Xuan felt that the other party had already captured that brief change in expression just now with their keen insight.

The other person's emotional changes can also serve as good evidence of this.

Just a moment after his own expression changed, the other person's mood also noticeably relaxed.

I was noticeably more nervous when I first entered the room.

A series of thoughts raced through his mind, but that didn't stop Geng Xuan from communicating with the person in front of him: "Who are you?"

The man before him clasped his hands in a gesture of respect and said:

"My name is Fan Qi. I greet you, Your Excellency."

Fan Qi made no attempt to conceal his appearance. Geng Xuan recognized him the moment he saw him.

Logically speaking, this guy shouldn't be showing up here at this time under any circumstances.

But then he appeared.

A strange sense of confusion even arose in Geng Xuan's heart.

Geng Xuan didn't keep his questions to himself; he asked them directly.

Why would someone who is not related to you secretly help you?

Moreover, it involves taking such a huge risk.

Fan Qi's answer once again surprised Geng Xuan.

"I want a piece of the pie." Fan Qi's face was full of sincerity.

"Oh? Want a share?" Geng Xuan asked with a puzzled look, and kicked the ball back.

Fan Qi stared at him, then suddenly said, "You should recognize me, shouldn't you?"

Geng Xuan neither confirmed nor denied, but instead asked, "And then?"

Fan Qi frankly stated:
"I may or may not know you, but—"

That's not important.

As he finished speaking, Fan Qi gently waved his hand, as if brushing away insignificant dust.

"Then what is important?" Geng Xuan asked, becoming curious when Fan Qi remained silent.

"Your Excellency, or rather, the organization you belong to, will soon cleanse the entire world," Fan Qi said.

Geng Xuan was taken aback once again.

Staring at Fan Qi, he asked curiously, "You can also tell fortunes with your fingers?"

Fan Qi shook his head: "This wasn't calculated with my fingers; I saw it with my own eyes."

"Saw it with your own eyes? Where did you see it?"

"Southwest of Yuanzhou, west of Yuelu Plain..."

At this point, Fan Qi suddenly smiled and said, "I don't think I need to explain in more detail, do I?"

Geng Xuan didn't answer, but looked at Fan Qi, seemingly curious about what other information could come out of his small mouth.

Fan Qi shrugged and said:

"I heard from Shaohe that a 'Canglang Divine Child' has emerged here. He possesses not only superb medical skills that can bring people back from the dead, but also divine blessings that can help cultivators grow rapidly."

"...After hearing all this, I immediately set off here."

At this point, he looked at Geng Xuan with a sincere expression.

Road:
"I myself have had the privilege of experiencing these miracles in another place."

Rather than believing that many miracles have suddenly appeared in the world that defy common sense, I believe more that these 'miracles' all originate from the same source.

"And coincidentally, I also know that at the very source where I personally experienced it, there is a method that can kill the Xuan You Iron Cavalry."

The only possible obstacle is that the practitioner may not have enough time to comprehend it.

The mystery is solved; the answer is that simple.

Geng Xuan had fought in Qingyuanji and had also clashed with a professional Xuanyou Iron Cavalry.

All the methods used in the identity of "Crimson Wolf Follower" were used before.

That collision also marked the first appearance of the "horse-riding throwing technique".

As a participant, Fan Qi also received a reward for his good fortune and had his cultivation level forcibly "promoted" as a "temporary member of the Giant Bear Gang".

In fact, let alone Fan Qi, anyone who had a similar experience under the banner of the "Giant Bear Gang" would inevitably make the connection after learning about the "legend" of the "Azure Wolf God Child" not long after.

In this regard, Geng Xuan had not taken any special precautions.

In fact, in his mind, there was no need to take any special precautions.

The "miracle" originating from the "Giant Bear Gang" comes from the "White Emperor's Water-Stabilizing Stone," and is paired with the "Black Emperor's Altar."

According to the modified version of the "Azure Wolf Faith" that he privately sold to Hak, "Azure Wolf Heaven" would be attributed to "Azure Emperor".

To this day, the idea that the Five Emperors were one family, with their lineage passed down in an orderly manner, has long been deeply ingrained in people's minds.

When that time came and the information was reconciled between the two sides, his miracle of truly manifesting himself in the human world under the identity of "Child of the Azure Wolf" became the proof of the newly written story.

Given Geng Xuan's confidence in his own efficiency and the normal speed at which information spreads in this world, by the time these messages spread, the matter would have essentially been settled.

It's just a time difference.

Fan Qi suddenly appeared and connected the two together first, which was indeed beyond Geng Xuan's expectations.

However, it just happened to emerge.

It's not a big deal.

Geng Xuan was more curious about something else.

He first looked at Fan Qi, then at Zhang Shaohe, and asked:
"You two have known each other for a long time?"

"Yes."

How did you meet?

“Our elders in the family acted as matchmakers…we’re family friends,” Fan Qi said.

Geng Xuan looked at Fan Qi and said meaningfully:
“You have a huge network of connections in Yuanzhou.”

Zhang Shaohe was also a guest of honor of Dong Guan in the north. He had to consult with Dong Guan on everything before making a decision... Tsk tsk, why are you asking me for protection? I think you are just a powerful, hidden patron!

Even plucking a single hair could kill someone!

Fan Qi smiled wryly, looked up at Geng Xuan, and said:

"You overestimate us... One or two hundred years ago, our ancestors may have had some power."

But now, it's just barely clinging to life.

Exchanging information and taking the opportunity to understand the general trend of the world is already the limit; how could we dare to hope for more?

However, Geng Xuan sensed something unspoken in Fan Qi's words.

Unable to contain my curiosity, I asked.

When questioned, Fan Qi was unusually candid.

In just a few words, he revealed the whole situation.

Geng Xuan was also quite surprised.

It was as if I could see a hidden thread running through centuries of chaos.

To be honest, the connection between the ancestors of Fan Qi and Zhang Shaohe can be traced back five or six hundred years.

They are all descendants of a core group of high-ranking officials led by Mu Gong Liu Hu, who once vied with the Hegemon for supremacy.

It could even be said that if it weren't for the fact that the Overlord had "cheated" back then, they would have already unified the world.

However, the outcome was abruptly thwarted by the tyrant's "unreasonable" and indiscriminate killing before his death.

Back then, almost all the outstanding individuals personally verified by the Overlord, including the core groups led by Liu Hu, were wiped out.

Almost all of them were dragged down to the underworld with them.

However, this is also "almost".

In the end, not all of them died.

Among them, the one with the highest status was Zhang Yu, who was known as the "Sage of Strategy".

However, although he did not die on the spot, he was seriously injured and only clung to life for half a year before following in the footsteps of others.

Zhang Yu himself was fully aware of this.

Despite having only six months to live, he did not waste any time, but instead made proper arrangements for everyone's descendants.

This led to long-standing friendships like those between Fan Qi and Zhang Shaohe. (End of Chapter)