Shen Lang had always believed Song Shaodao was merely a powerful warrior, someone he could eventually catch up to with enough effort.
But in this instant, Shen Lang realized he was wrong.
His uncle's power was far beyond his comprehension. To surpass his uncle would be as difficult as ascending to heaven.
"Why so shocked?"
At this moment, Song Shaodao's eyes returned to black, his killing intent vanished into nothingness, and he reverted to the elegant and amiable middle-aged man he was. He landed and walked to Shen Lang, asking.
"Uncle, what was that just now?"
Shen Lang's mind was filled with the images of Song Shaodao's battle, and he asked in shock.
"That was the Five Thunder True Method."
Song Shaodao said, "When I was young, I had the fortune to meet the old Heavenly Master of the Heavenly Master's Mansion once. He felt I had too much bloodshed and wanted to resolve my negative energy. In the end, he failed and became my sworn brother."
"So, he passed down the Five Thunder True Method, which the Dragon Tiger Mountain Heavenly Master's Mansion never publicly taught, to me. I have cultivated it for many years, and although I haven't reached the realm of summoning heavenly lightning with a wave of my hand, I have achieved the ability to control lightning freely."
"It's a pity that I promised him I would never pass the Five Thunder True Method to anyone else in this lifetime, otherwise, I would teach it to you now."
Hearing Song Shaodao's words, Shen Lang was greatly surprised: "I never expected Uncle to know the old Heavenly Master of the Heavenly Master's Mansion. Legend has it that that old man is over 130 years old, and his martial arts and destiny have both reached the peak. He is already a half-immortal on earth."
"Don't listen to the nonsense outside, calling him a half-immortal on earth. He's just an ordinary old man. If there's anything different, it's just that he lives longer and is lonelier than others."
Song Shaodao smiled and said, "I haven't seen my sworn brother in ten years. When you have time, I'll take you to visit him. I can't teach you the Five Thunder True Method, as I promised him, but I can let him teach it to you."
"Uncle..."
Hearing Song Shaodao's thoughtful consideration, Shen Lang was filled with immense emotion.
He had countless times imagined the scene of finding his relatives, but each time he expected awkwardness and unfamiliarity. However, the feeling Song Shaodao gave Shen Lang was never like this. They felt as if they had been together for nineteen years, intimate and warm.
"Qinghan, you're here too?"
Song Shaodao no longer looked at Shen Lang, who was moved to tears, but turned to Gu Qinghan and said with a smile, "The fates of this world are truly wondrous and unpredictable. No one expected that the younger brother you recognized would be my nephew who disappeared for nineteen years, nor did anyone expect that you would suddenly become my nephew's wife."
"Old Song, you seem quite excited?"
Gu Qinghan had known Song Shaodao for several years and knew that he was always casual when not working at the Martial Guard Department, so she interacted with him easily and smiled.
"Of course, I'm excited! I have a nephew, I have a nephew's wife, and even a child in my nephew's wife's belly. My Song family is flourishing, how could I not be excited?"
Song Shaodao looked at Gu Qinghan and smiled, "From now on, you can just handle office matters with peace of mind. Leave the dangerous missions that require charging forward to Yu Youwei and Qin Long. If they can't handle it, I'll go myself."
"Yes—"
Song Shaodao's words were immediately endorsed by Shen Lang.
"I'm only recently pregnant, and many things don't affect me. Moreover, I want to go to Yang Country again to bring He Yaodong back."
Gu Qinghan said angrily, "Last time, due to the betrayal of a traitor, we not only failed to capture He Yaodong but also lost over a dozen brothers and sisters. I must give them an account."
"This... let Shen Lang do it."
Looking at Gu Qinghan's angry face, Song Shaodao thought for a moment and said.
"What? Let me do it?"
Hearing his uncle's words, Shen Lang was slightly surprised and asked, "Uncle, am I going as an individual or representing the Martial Guard Department?"
"Of course, you'll be representing the Martial Guard Department."
Song Shaodao took out a black leather identification from his pocket and threw it to Shen Lang. "In view of your repeated meritorious service, I have applied to my superiors for your admission into the Martial Guard Department without examination. The superiors have agreed. You are now a member of the Martial Guard Department, ranked as a Fourth-Class Martial Guard."
"Fourth-Class Martial Guard?"
Hearing Song Shaodao's words, Shen Lang didn't react much. However, Gu Qinghan was greatly astonished and said, "He's at the same level as Qin Long and me just after joining?"
There were ten levels in the Martial Guard Department, from highest to lowest: First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh Class Martial Guards. Above them were four levels of Senior Martial Guards. Gu Qinghan, who had joined the Martial Guard Department for many years, was only a Fourth-Class Martial Guard. This showed how difficult it was to be promoted.
"Yes, he's at the same level as you and Qin Long just after joining."
Song Shaodao looked at his nephew's wife and smiled, "It can't be helped, this kid has made too many contributions. If nothing else, just him capturing Nalan Wushuang is enough to deserve everything he's given now."
"That's true..."
Gu Qinghan deeply agreed with Song Shaodao's words and said, "With Shen Lang joining the Martial Guard Department, our mission success rate will greatly increase, and our casualty rate will definitely decrease. This is truly a great event."
"This isn't the greatest event yet. The truly greatest event is that he can take care of you."
Song Shaodao said playfully.
"Old Song, you're talking nonsense again."
Although Gu Qinghan thought so in her heart, when Song Shaodao said it out loud, she blushed and retorted.
"Heh..."
Shen Lang heard this and smiled, "Qinghan, Uncle is right. Joining the Martial Guard Department can indeed allow me to take better care of you. Alright, if that's the case, then I'll join."
"You didn't bring He Yaodong back from Yang Country last time. This time, I'll go to Yang Country myself to fulfill your wish."
Speaking of this, Shen Lang looked at his uncle and asked, "Uncle, when do I depart?"
"No rush, let's wait for Qin Long and the others to recover from their injuries."
Song Shaodao smiled and said, "Although you are powerful, you can't do everything alone. Sometimes you still need Qin Long and the others to assist you."
"Okay—"
Shen Lang heard this and smiled, "I'll listen to Uncle's arrangements."
"You kid, you really make me worry-free."
Seeing Shen Lang's agreeable nature, Song Shaodao was very satisfied. He punched Shen Lang's chest and said, "We'll talk about other things later. Now, take Qinghan to see your mother."
"Okay—"
Shen Lang nodded, then took Gu Qinghan into the manor. They arrived at the small building where Song Qingyi lived and found Song Qingyi trimming the flowers in the garden.
Seeing Song Qingyi, Shen Lang called out, "Mom, I brought Qinghan to see you."
Hearing this, Song Qingyi stopped her work. However, when Song Qingyi looked at Gu Qinghan, her face was filled with surprise. "It's you... you... you're Qinghan?"