Chapter Seventy-Three: Departure

Lu Tianhong and Meng Wan’er both knew there was no stopping Lu Han.

Since they couldn’t dissuade him, they chose instead to support him.

Early in the morning, at the gates of the City Lord’s residence, everyone was gathered—Lu Tianhong, Meng Wan’er, and the others.

Lu Han, carrying the Bilu Sword on his back, walked slowly out the door. He was momentarily surprised to see so many people, then approached them.

Noticing Chen Jun and the other two present as well, Lu Han’s face betrayed a hint of confusion.

Lu Tianhong immediately saw the doubt in his son’s eyes.

“Han’er, Chen Jun is now the commander of Maple Leaf City’s garrison. He only agreed after I pleaded with him several times.”

Chen Jun said, “With the City Lord’s repeated invitations, it would have been ungracious of me to refuse.”

He glanced at Hong Banmei beside him. “Besides, after so many years as a mercenary, wandering everywhere, it’s time to settle down and build a life. It’s not bad to put down roots here.”

Niu Gao rumbled, “Brother Lu, talk to your father for me. If I join the city guard, can’t we get rid of the no-drinking rule?”

Laughter broke out at his words, dispelling a bit of the parting gloom.

“Xiao Han, your third uncle doesn’t have much to give you, but take this storage ring,” said Lu Tianbei, approaching with his adopted son, Lu Hai.

From his breast, Lu Tianbei took out a storage ring.

Lu Han smiled gently.

“Third Uncle, I was just about to speak to you about this.”

He produced two storage rings from within his robe.

“This one is for you, Third Uncle. You’re always traveling, and sometimes one ring isn’t enough. The space in this one is ten times larger than yours.”

This particular ring had once belonged to Zhang Yuanqin, a powerful Xuanjun expert.

Lu Tianbei was taken aback, then forced a wry smile.

He had thought his ring would be of help to Lu Han, but apparently his nephew didn’t need it at all, even gifting him a better one. The more he looked at Lu Han, the less he felt he understood him.

“It truly is the age of the young now.”

“Father, this ring is for you. You’ll know the use of what’s inside.” Lu Han handed another ring to Lu Tianhong.

Within were not only rare herbs, but also a scroll of martial arts—the “Rock Steadfast Technique,” once the property of the Zhang family, former lords of Tianlan City. Its greatest feature was that it could be cultivated alongside other techniques, making the practitioner’s body far stronger than those of the same rank.

With this technique, the Lu clan’s overall strength would rise to new heights.

“Is my son-in-law planning to leave just like this?”

The voice preceded the man, who arrived with Lie Ruge in tow.

Lu Han gave a helpless smile.

He’d left so early precisely to avoid Lie Ruge finding out. If she knew, she’d definitely insist on going too. This wasn’t just any journey, but a venture into the Chaotic Soul Plains. Lu Han had intended for his family to inform her only after he’d gone.

Lie Ruge, her lips pursed, looked distinctly unhappy.

“Brother Lu Han, do you think I don’t know you? You lied to me, saying you’d take me with you. Hmph!”

“Well… you know the Chaotic Soul Plains isn’t an ordinary place. I was worried for your safety,” said Lu Han.

“Don’t flatter yourself. Who said I wanted to go with you?”

“Hm?”

“Ruge told me about this as soon as she got back yesterday,” said Lie Xiong. “The old man and I guessed you’d leave. At first, Ruge insisted on going, but the old man talked her out of it.”

Lu Han breathed a sigh of relief. If she had insisted on coming along, he wouldn’t have known what to do. He wondered what Grandpa Lie had said to persuade her.

“My son-in-law, I’m not here for anything else. The Chaotic Soul Plains are no ordinary place. Remember, you’re already betrothed to my daughter. No matter what, you must come back alive,” Lie Xiong said solemnly.

He’d heard many tales of the Chaotic Soul Plains—chaos was the only way to describe them.

“Father!” Lie Ruge blushed, embarrassed at hearing Lu Han called son-in-law in front of everyone.

“Silly girl, what’s there to be shy about? Yesterday, when we set the date, I discussed it with Brother Lu and the others. Four years from now, will be the day Lu Han marries you,” Lie Xiong declared.

“My son-in-law, as a son, you have a duty to save your father. I won’t stop you. Just be careful. Remember, your fiancée is waiting for you here in Maple Leaf City. I don’t want my daughter living in constant fear for your safety.” He patted Lu Han on the shoulder.

Had it been him in Lu Han’s place, Lie Xiong would have gone to the Chaotic Soul Plains as well. He understood him completely.

Lie Ruge was not an unreasonable girl; she knew the dangers. One more person might only increase the risk.

Suddenly, Lie Ruge stepped forward and straightened Lu Han’s white robe.

“I’ll be waiting for you to come back, Brother Lu Han.”

Lu Han replied softly, “All right.”

“Don’t worry. Not even the abyss of the Cold Abyssal Forest could claim me—I’ll be back with the Soul-Stealing Mink’s blood to cure Father. Wait for me.”

With that, he turned and walked away.

The morning sun shone warm on their bodies.

Lu Han, sword on his back, made his way toward the city gate.

Meng Wan’er watched his departing figure, tears sparkling in her eyes. Lie Ruge, unable to hold back, began to sob. Meng Wan’er embraced her, comforting her gently.

“Brother Lu, you have a fine son! Haha, and I’m not doing badly either, with such a good son-in-law,” Lie Xiong said.

Just as Lu Han passed through the city gates, a Lu clan guard ran up with a report.

“Patriarch, a letter has arrived from the Meng family of Tianlan City.”

“Father-in-law?” Lu Tianhong opened the letter.

His brow furrowed at first, then relaxed, and at last he burst out laughing.

“What is it, Tianhong?” Meng Wan’er asked.

“This rascal—he didn’t even mention this when he came back. Clearly he’s hiding something from us. Wan’er, see for yourself.” He handed her the letter.

After a long moment, Meng Wan’er’s eyes filled with tears.

“At last, the Meng family’s wish has been fulfilled!”

Lu Tianhong said, “That boy actually defeated Zhang Mang of Tianlan City. I feel even more confident about him going to the Chaotic Soul Plains now. It seems he wasn’t using his full strength that day.”

Indeed, Lu Han hadn’t shown his true abilities during the battle with Li Zong.

As the Meng family’s son-in-law, Lu Tianhong knew a little about Tianlan City. Zhang Mang was its greatest genius, and to hear his own son had bested him—had it not been his father-in-law’s own handwriting, he would never have believed it.

“What that boy’s been through the last three months must be far more than what he’s told us. But it doesn’t matter. No matter what, he is still my son,” Lu Tianhong said with a touch of pride.

According to Old Master Meng’s letter, Lu Han was now at least able to protect himself among the ranks of the Xiantian experts, if not invincible.

Meng Wan’er’s worries were eased.

She had always been torn—her husband’s poison needed curing as soon as possible, but her son was heading into great danger. Even a King of the Earth realm expert would be reduced to a mere third-level Xiantian upon entering the Chaotic Soul Plains.

“Father’s promise of three strikes with the Dragonhead Staff will definitely be kept. Once he finishes up in Tianlan City, he’ll probably come. When he learns Han’er’s gone to the Chaotic Soul Plains, he’s sure to be furious,” Meng Wan’er said quietly.

With that, she returned to the City Lord’s residence with Lie Ruge, leaving Lu Tianhong standing in stunned silence.

“With this poison in me, surely my father-in-law will go easy on me,” Lu Tianhong muttered.

Suddenly remembering something, he checked the storage ring and exclaimed, “The ‘Rock Steadfast Technique!’”

“So that’s it?” A realization dawned.

“No wonder Han’er is so confident about the Chaotic Soul Plains! He must have his reasons for keeping it secret.”

He’d heard of the “Rock Steadfast Technique” before. Now, seeing it in Lu Han’s possession, and considering the hints in Old Master Meng’s letter, it was clear Lu Han must have some master guiding him. Otherwise, such progress would have been impossible.

His guess was not wrong, though he was unaware that Old Man Ling was now so frail as to be of little help.

Announcement: The last three weeks of the qualifying round for the Online Literature League are underway! If you haven’t participated yet, hurry up! Huge prizes and a chance at literary glory await—click here to join.