Pillar of Yita

Tang Sheng quickly snapped back to reality and replied, ”When you say it like that, I think I have some impression of it.”

Fang Hong exclaimed joyfully, ”Uncle, do you remember how that notebook came about?”

”Hmm,” on the screen, Tang Sheng’s eyebrows knitted together. He bowed his head, pondered for a moment, and said, ”If I remember correctly, a friend gave it to me.” He then looked up and asked Fang Hong, ”Little Hong, can you tell me the details of the situation?”

Fang Hong nodded — his uncle’s family was his only kin in this world and treated him like their own. Without hesitation, he recounted how he met the Grand Princess, how she requested his involvement in the investigation of the attack ten years ago, and matters related to the construction of the Seven Seas Traveler.

”So, you’re saying,” Tang Sheng replied, ”because you’re the only witness of that Wandering Alchemist, and you’re not connected to the Istania Royal Family or the Nobles, but are adversaries with the Blood Shark Sky Pirates and the Cultists, that’s why the princess saw your group as potential allies?”

His uncle’s reasoning was as clear as ever. Fang Hong always felt that Tang Xin inherited this trait along with his aunt Zhang Rou’s shrewdness and acumen. He nodded again and added, ”It was Princess Rupert. She’s the daughter of King of Sand Barbaltan, who is a king of Istania.”

Tang Sheng listened with curiosity, ”If I remember correctly, Istania is just a region within Colin Ishurian, right? How does a region have its own king?”

”Because Colin Ishurian is an Alliance Kingdom,” Fang Hong explained to his uncle. ”It actually consists of the Kingdom of Colin and the Kingdom of Ishurian, where Ishurian is the Dwarf Kingdom, with the capital at the Sanctified Forge Hall in Eldron. Besides Colin and Ishurian, the Alliance Kingdom includes other regions and kingdoms like the Avenquin Elves, the Sand Kingdom of Istania, Scepter Coast, and Nogness Overseas Territory, as well as Giant Island, among others... Different regions maintain their traditional political systems, like the Elves have the Elf King, Istania has the King of Sand, and so on...”

Tang Sheng found it interesting, ”I didn’t expect you to know so much about this world despite being here for only a short time. It seems you’ve learned a lot.”

Fang Hong boasted, ”Uncle, actually, I knew these things even before coming to this world. Tang Xin knows a lot too.”

Tang Sheng said, ”You never told us this.”

Fang Hong laughed sheepishly, scratching his head, ”I was afraid you’d scold me along with Aunt.”

Tang Sheng chuckled as well and joked, ”You better not let your Aunt hear that.”

Frightened, Fang Hong quickly looked around, as if Lady Zhang Rou, omnipresent and all-knowing, might come along the Ether Route to his side at any moment, ready to smack him into a lifeless pigeon.

But after explaining things clearly, Fang Hong returned to the main topic and asked, ”Uncle, do you recognize the writing in that notebook?”

”I’m not sure,” Tang Sheng replied, ”My friend likes to collect strange things, but honestly, I haven’t looked at the notebook much.”

”I see.” Fang Hong felt a bit disappointed, but it was understandable; if his uncle recognized the writing, that would have been strange indeed.

He thought for a moment and asked, ”Can you still contact the person who gave you the notebook?”

Tang Sheng pondered for a moment and then said, ”I haven’t seen him for a few years, but some friends might know his whereabouts. If I go back to Earth, I could potentially contact him. But it will take time, and I don’t know if you can wait.”

Fang Hong shook his head, ”Uncle, I’m not in a rush.” The princess had waited ten years, so there was no hurry now. Su Changfeng had told them that the Stargate’s restoration would be soon, within a month or two, and Princess Rupert should still be able to wait.

He turned to look at the notebook on the table again; it seemed that regarding the notebook, these were the only clues for now. Until the investigation led by his uncle or the princess yielded further progress, this lead was temporarily cut off.

Tang Sheng then asked, ”Little Hong, is there anything else?”

”No,” Fang Hong quickly replied and asked, ”How have you and Aunt been lately?”

”Everything is good. The scenery in Eteliria is beautiful, and the air here is nice too,” Tang Sheng smiled. ”Your Aunt has come to like this place and said she wants to come here often for vacations. But in truth, she mainly wants to visit you. You plan to stay here for a while, right?”

Fang Hong felt his nose twitch with emotion, almost shedding tears while looking at his uncle. He quickly nodded to hide his emotional state, ”Yes.”

”Then you must be careful,” Tang Sheng advised. ”Little Hong, I’m supportive of you and Tang Xin pursuing your dreams. Although the journey may not be smooth, young people need to experience setbacks to grow. But don’t blame your Aunt; she just cares about you both, albeit with different methods.”

Fang Hong nodded again, ”I understand, Uncle.”

Tang Sheng continued, ”Also, keeping promises doesn’t mean being reckless. Regarding the task given by the princess, you must understand what is within your capability. Little Hong, I trust you’re doing the right thing, but there are many ways to achieve the right goals.”

”The key is to use wisdom to protect yourself, as preserving oneself ensures future opportunities. And I’ve heard this place isn’t just a ’game’, and there’s no absolute safety. In critical moments, don’t act impulsively; think about those behind you.”