After the Immortal Disappeared

Chapter 96: Chapter 97: Waking Up at the Wrong Time

’This is an Illusion Realm, or perhaps a moment from ancient history. They lived long before I was born; how could they possibly remember me?’

”Help me ready two more crossbows.”

Hu Min reached into the quiver on his back, feeling only the last two arrows. ”One for you, and one for me.” If it weren’t for the Sunx Prefect’s chests, they would have been out of supplies long ago.

He helped Hee Lingchuan load his arrow. ”Any last words?”

”Yes.” Hee Lingchuan raised his crossbow and aimed at the formation of carts. ”I just want to know, why did the Sunx Prefect flee with a bunch of beast traps?”

Several Great Wind Soldiers nearby chuckled at his question, and Hu Min couldn’t help but stare at him. ”Whoever makes it back alive can find out why, then burn some paper to let the others know. How about it?”

”Sounds good to me.”

With a sharp CRACK, a carriage was smashed to pieces. The last line of defense was about to crumble.

From Hee Lingchuan’s perspective, his comrades ahead were slightly hunched, half-crouching in a horse stance, ready to meet the surging tide of enemies.

He braced himself against the earthen riverbank and pushed himself to his feet.

If this was his last battle, he wasn’t going to die lying down.

WHOOSH. His last arrow took down an enemy.

With his marksmanship, at least it wasn’t a waste.

The Baling People charged forward like a tidal wave.

Hee Lingchuan threw down his crossbow, drew his long saber, and strode forward to meet them.

It was time for close-quarters combat once again.

Just then, a shadow fell from the sky.

A Baling man charged right at Hee Lingchuan. Before he could even raise his saber, something dropped from the sky and crushed his foe.

It was a strange, short-furred bird, standing nearly three feet tall. It had a sharp beak, jagged teeth, bat-like wings, and sharp claws at their tips.

Its wingspan was an astonishing twenty feet.

The moment it landed, it let out a loud KAW that made Hee Lingchuan’s eardrums ache.

The allied soldiers were fine, but many of the Baling People clutched their ears and staggered back. Apparently, the creature had a sonic attack. If not for the enhancement from the Society Command, ordinary people would have been knocked unconscious on the spot.

Hee Lingchuan was stunned too.

’This thing looks so familiar... Isn’t it the Demon Bird from the Coiling Dragon Illusion Realm?’

’Of course, it’s a bit different from the one in the Coiling Dragon Illusion Realm. For one, it’s much smaller. Its body is no longer deathly pale—it’s clearly a living creature, and its eyes can dart around...’

’And I’m certain it didn’t form from a swarm of bats.’

’But for something from the Illusion Realm to appear here... that can only mean—’

From the ground, Hu Min shouted, ”Reinforcements are here!”

His voice was filled with the wild joy of surviving against all odds.

Almost at the same time, the long, stirring sound of a horn echoed from behind the Baling Army’s lines.

From their position on the slope, they could see flashes of lightning illuminate a commotion breaking out behind enemy lines.

An army, their banners whipping in the wind, appeared to have flanked them from the rear.

Commander Xiao also waved his spear and shouted, ”Brothers, hold on! The Red General is here!”

The Red General!

The name seemed to hold a magical power, instantly injecting new life into the exhausted warriors.

The men felt the sabers they could barely grip a moment ago suddenly grow light in their hands.

Hee Lingchuan cut down an enemy, his form faltering.

He was long past his limit; each breath sent a jolt through his chest. The effects of the medicine had worn off, and every movement was agony.

Commander Xiao found a moment to steady him, clapping him on the chest. ”Hang in there! We’ve won!”

Nothing could have sounded sweeter than those two words.

The dawn of victory lay ahead, with the reinforcements who struck like a Flood Dragon returning to the sea.

Hee Lingchuan couldn’t help but climb onto a large rock, wanting to see what the legendary Red General looked like.

Logically, the Red General should be beneath that fluttering, blood-red banner.

As his gaze traveled down the flagpole, the world suddenly began to spin.

...

”Don’t, don’t don’t don’t don’t don’t—AH!”

Hee Lingchuan shot up with a roar, startling the servant beside his bed.

”What are you doing?” Hee Lingchuan glared at him.

’I was so close! Just a little bit more and I would have seen the Red General!’

Hee Lingchuan was so furious at being shaken awake at that exact moment that he felt his lungs might burst.

”Eldest Young Master, p-please calm your anger!” the servant stammered, terrified of his master’s foul morning mood. ”The Master requires your presence in the side hall immediately. He has an important announcement to make. Madam Ying and the Second Young Master are already there.”

”An important announcement? What kind of important announcement?”

”I do not know, but the Master is in a great hurry.”

”Alright, I know!” Hee Lingchuan dismissed him with a wave and scrubbed his face in frustration.

The sky had brightened. Outside, the breeze was gentle and the day was clear. Petals rained down from the old osmanthus tree, and a few had drifted silently into the room.

It was a peaceful morning, just like any other. No one knew that Hee Lingchuan had returned to Panlong in his dreams and spent a long, bloody night there.

’Oh, right. My left hand.’

He lifted his left hand and wiggled his fingers.

’Yep, perfectly fine. Still flexible.’

’So it really was just a dream, even though the pain felt so real. I’m glad that kind of injury can’t carry over into reality.’ He was relieved.

Hee Lingchuan calmed himself down before getting up to dress.

’That battle on the riverbed... did the Great Wind Army win in the end?’

’It was probably a sure thing.’

’Commander Xiao promised that if I made it back to the city alive, I could join the City Army.’

’Not that I want to join the City Army, but it might be a way to get closer to those men.’

’It’s a shame. By leaving like that, all the goodwill I built up last night has probably been reset to zero, huh?’

Hee Lingchuan sighed. As he was fastening his tunic, he suddenly noticed that the Divine Bone Pendant hanging on his chest was emitting a faint red glow.

”Hm? What’s going on?”

He picked up the Divine Bone to take a closer look, but the thing wasn’t glowing anymore. It was as if the earlier flash had just been his imagination.

Usually, it had no presence, belying its grand name. It had only triggered its passive effect in the Coiling Dragon Illusion Realm, helping him resist the Fiery Flame Body Burning Divine Technique that Sunx Fuping had used.

Hee Lingchuan grabbed it, pinching and prying it, and even infused it with True Qi, but there was no reaction at all.

’Whatever. I should get to the side hall.’

* * *

The family was gathered around the dining table, cheerful and harmonious. Just as Hee Lingchuan stepped into the side hall, Hee Chunhua waved him over, beaming. ”Come, come! There’s good news!”

Hee Lingchuan walked over and pulled out a chair. ”What’s the good news, Dad? Are you expecting?”

The Chief Steward brought him a bowl of fine noodles in lamb broth. The stock had been stewed for four hours, served with hand-pulled noodles and a garnish of tender green scallions. It looked simple, but its flavor was deep and rich.

Hee Lingchuan sat down and slurped up a few mouthfuls with his chopsticks. ’Ah, perfect!’

’Come to think of it, my appetite seems to have grown again. One or two bowls definitely won’t be enough.’

Hee Yue didn’t bicker with him today. Instead, he said, ”It really is wonderful news.”

Even Madam Ying was smiling, unable to hide her delight.

”The petition has reached the Capital City, and the court is in an uproar!” Hee Chunhua announced, enunciating each word. ”For meritorious service in suppressing the rebellion, and especially for executing the traitor Sunx Fuping, the Royal Court has appointed me Governor of Xiazhou! I am to depart immediately!”

He placed a scroll case on the table. ”The official decree is here. The rewards are still on their way.”

Hee Lingchuan slapped his thigh, his joy obvious. ”Skipping several ranks, a meteoric rise! Dad, our family’s hit the jackpot!”