Chapter 100: Chapter 99: Qiu Chen’s Illness Cured

Subsequently, Southern King Li Wutong instructed the newly arrived Mayor Leiming to properly record the names of the heroes who died tonight fighting the Beastmen. They would receive the highest honors afforded to the Empire’s fallen soldiers, and their families and children would be forever exempt from taxes! Their names would be officially recorded, and a Merit Stele would be erected just outside Cameron Town’s gates. The names of everyone who participated in today’s battle would be inscribed upon it, to be forever revered by future generations!

Li Wutong then met with Grand Commander Paine of the Defense Army. Commander Paine came before Li Wutong with a look of shame, knelt on the ground, and pressed his head to the blood-stained earth. His voice was low and choked with emotion. "General, Gu Tong’s betrayal was a failure of my duty. Please punish me, General!"

Li Wutong looked at the trusted subordinate who had followed him for many years. He took off his helmet, revealing a handsome face, and personally helped Paine to his feet. "Commander Paine," he said gently, "what crime have you committed? I already know about Gu Tong. Besides, he’s dead!"

"What? He’s dead?" Paine said in surprise. "He didn’t escape?"

"Escape?" A mocking smile touched Li Wutong’s lips. ’He’s not like me,’ he thought. ’How could anyone let people who’ve outlived their usefulness continue to live so freely?’ Out loud, however, he said, "He got what was coming to him. Someone already killed him—hacked him in half! Hehe. And... the families of all those who mutinied tonight... have all been killed by the Beastmen."

"HSS." Paine sucked in a sharp breath, a chill running down his spine. Gu Tong had over a hundred trusted men who mutinied with him, and their families numbered five or six hundred people. For so many to be killed by the Beastmen... it was a true catastrophe. Still, it had nothing to do with him. No matter what, Cameron Town was safe. Though some property was lost, countless Beastmen had also died.

Li Wutong said calmly, "Commander Pan, from now on, the military affairs of Cameron Town will fall on your shoulders alone. If you discover anyone with potential, feel free to promote them to Deputy Commander. Just report it to me afterward."

"Thank you, General! Your subordinate obeys!" Paine struggled to contain his excitement. The Second Prince was clearly doing him a huge favor. With a leader like this, how could Paine not pledge his life in service?

Li Wutong next received the teachers from the Imperial Academy. In his heart, these were the people he absolutely had to win over tonight! He would also give preferential treatment to the mercenaries, adventurers, and passionate youths of the town, because Li Wutong needed them to spread his story! Especially the adventurers and mercenaries—they traveled far and wide. He was sure that within a few days, the entire Lanyue Empire would know what happened today: that he, the Southern King, had descended from the heavens at Cameron Town’s most critical moment, driven off the Beastmen, and secured the town’s safety!

Reputation... hehe. Li Wutong received all the teachers and students of the Imperial Academy with great warmth. Countless noble students witnessed the Second Prince’s poise, elegance, and nobility, combined with an air of iron-willed authority! How could anyone not admire such a man?

Even Yisha’s gaze held a trace of fanaticism as she looked at Li Wutong. However, she was still more concerned with Ling Xiao beside her. She noticed that Ling Xiao seemed to be intentionally keeping a low profile. Yisha figured he disliked all the hustle and bustle, but she was so proud of him! ’Who would dare say Ling Xiao is useless now? He participated in the battle against the Beastmen! He’s a hero!’

Kaelin had already been sent away to recover from her injuries. A single swipe from that Cat Person’s claws had left her entire back a bloody mess. Fortunately, Yisha’s elixir was extremely effective. After emergency treatment, her life was no longer in danger, but she would need to recuperate in bed for a long time.

Kaelin was much stronger than expected. When the Southern King went to visit her, Kaelin even tried to struggle to her feet. As Li Tianluo watched with a nervous expression, a satisfied smile appeared on the Southern King’s face. Clearly, he was very pleased with his future daughter-in-law. In front of the large crowd, Li Wutong showed no unusual emotion and proceeded to visit a number of the injured students in turn.

What pleased Li Wutong the most this time was that not a single student from the Imperial Academy had died! Although a few had suffered serious injuries, none of their lives were in danger. That was what Li Wutong truly cared about!

The teachers from the Imperial Academy also breathed a collective sigh of relief. They prepared to depart immediately the next day, leaving a few teachers behind to care for the more seriously injured students who would recuperate here for now. Everyone else would return to the Imperial Capital. This training expedition had been perilous, but it was a great success!

In a quiet room, only the Southern King and his son remained. Being alone with his father, Li Tianluo’s face showed little tension. The most nerve-wracking moment—when his beloved Kaelin had faced his father—was already over.

A smile appeared on Li Wutong’s majestic face. He nodded and said, "Kaelin is a fine girl."

A faint blush appeared on Li Tianluo’s usually composed face. "Father..." he murmured.

"Enough. I know she did it to save you. That’s why she’s a fine girl," Li Wutong said with a light chuckle. "Besides, her family background will be helpful to you in the future."

"Father, it’s not like that..."

"Whether it is or not, what does it matter? I don’t care how many women you have, but the one who becomes your wife must be helpful to your future career!" Li Wutong glanced at his son. "I am not young anymore, and you are my only son. Therefore, the future... belongs to your generation!"

Li Tianluo’s heart skipped a beat upon hearing this, and his attitude became even more respectful. "Father, you are still very young!"

A satisfied expression appeared on Li Wutong’s face. He had always held this only son of his in high regard.

"I heard that General Ling Tianxiao’s third son was also in the group this time? And that he behaved differently than before?" Li Wutong asked casually, bringing up Ling Xiao.

"He... He’s very mysterious!" Li Tianluo thought for a long moment before frowning and replying, "He’s very unusual. It’s a feeling I can’t quite describe. But one thing is for certain: he’s going to become stronger and stronger!" Li Tianluo said with absolute conviction.

Li Wutong gave a noncommittal nod. "Just maintain a good relationship with him, but don’t overdo it."

Li Tianluo’s expression turned serious. "I understand, Father."

"If someone with ulterior motives sees it, it won’t do anyone any good. In short, it’s better to be on good terms than to be enemies! The Wulan Family... Hmph." Li Wutong snorted in disdain. Then he said, "Alright. After you return to the academy, continue to maintain a low profile and your attitude of not currying favor with the powerful. Mm, you may go."

Watching his son leave, Li Wutong’s eyes gradually turned ice-cold. He let out a heavy snort. "My dear older brother, you never would have guessed it, would you? Your little brother here just has good fortune!"

......

At the Imperial Academy, inside the small building where Grand Marshal Qiu Chen lived alone, a doddering Uncle Fu was downstairs chatting with the siblings Qiu Jianhua and Qiuyue Yao, as well as Shangguan Yutong.

But none of them were paying attention, their eyes drifting from time to time toward the closed door upstairs.

Qiuyue Yao’s beautiful eyes were filled with nervousness and anticipation. She looked at Shangguan Yutong and asked, "That kid... can he really do it?"

"Little sister, you’ve already asked that several times!" Although Qiu Jianhua was also filled with worry, it wasn’t as obvious as his sister’s.

Shangguan Yutong smiled lightly and reassured her master, "Don’t worry, Master. I believe he can definitely do it!"

"That’s good, that’s good," Qiuyue Yao murmured.

Suddenly, an immense and powerful aura instantly enveloped the entire building, startling everyone! Even Uncle Fu, who had been half-asleep with his eyes narrowed, had his eyes flash with a brilliant light. He shot a glance upstairs, his shock mingled with pleasant surprise, before quickly concealing his own aura.

The others reacted a beat slower. Qiuyue Yao cried out, "Father!"

Qiu Jianhua shot to his feet. He didn’t speak, but the thrilled expression on his face was impossible to hide!

’Father’s illness... it’s really cured! The illness that plagued him for ten years, that forced a great hero into decline—that goddamn illness is actually gone!’

Qiu Jianhua felt the urge to roar at the heavens. It had been so long since he had felt this kind of passionate, stirring emotion surge through him!

The aura vanished as quickly as it had appeared, almost making them feel as if it had all been a dream.

Just then, the door upstairs opened. With a weary look on his face, Ling Xiao looked down at the group and said, "Fortunately, I was successful."

"Ah!" Tears streamed from Qiuyue Yao’s eyes. She pressed her lips together tightly and started to run for the second floor.

Ling Xiao said softly, "Wait a little while. Grandmaster Qiu has fallen asleep. Once he wakes up and rests for a while longer, he’ll recover to his peak condition!"

"Ling Xiao, thank you!" Qiu Jianhua’s expression was solemn as he bowed deeply to Ling Xiao.

Ling Xiao quickly sidestepped. "Dean, you mustn’t. It was what I ought to do!" He walked down the stairs and said to the group, "Since everything’s fine now, I’ll be heading back."

"Hurry back and get some rest!" Qiuyue Yao said gratefully, gently wiping the corners of her eyes.

"Ling Xiao, let me walk you out," Shangguan Yutong said, her cherry lips parting slightly.