“Uncle Xu is dead too?”
Chen Jin Chao was greatly shocked, which made his breathing difficult.
He had met Xu Shao An a few times and thought Xu Shao An was a very kind person. How could anyone lay hands on him?
And not spare his wife.
Hu San Dao said with a wry smile, “The country is in chaos now. I volunteered to be the captain because I wanted to avoid these troubles. In fact, it all comes down to the fact that the struggle between Qin Feng Wu and Li Tian Ce has entered a white-hot stage. When immortals fight, innocent bystanders are bound to get hurt.”
Chen Jin Chao nodded upon hearing this, indicating that he understood.
During the three years he was away, Li Bu Yan and Qin Jian Guo must have become increasingly at odds. Coupled with the loss of Xu Han Chen, the stabilizing force, the conflict between the two sides had become more acute. If this continued, more intense clashes were inevitable.
This made Chen Jin Chao extremely worried.
Hua Guo was now facing both internal and external threats.
Even Chen Jin Chao was not sure if Hua Guo could survive this period.
Hu San Dao added, “It’s good that you’re back now. Perhaps you can inherit Elder Xu’s legacy and become the stabilizing force to balance both sides.”
Chen Jin Chao’s thoughts returned to the present. Hearing this, he waved his hand, saying, “It’s already a miracle that I’m alive. I don’t have any other ideas for now. Moreover, I’m just a commoner now. How can I have the qualifications to dabble in the high positions of the military?”
“That’s true…”
Hu San Dao nodded.
He took a deep breath and solemnly said to Chen Jin Chao, “However, if you have any ideas, we will all fully support you. Our faction must have a foothold in the military.”
“Isn’t Lin Zhi Ge still there?” Chen Jin Chao asked, confused.
“Don’t mention him. He has now become the third-highest official in the Hua Guo military, but he has already sided with the Qin family. He ignores us, Elder Xu’s old subordinates, and even deliberately suppresses us,” Hu San Dao said, full of anger when he mentioned Lin Zhi Ge.
“Elder Xu promoted him in the first place, and I didn’t expect him to defect.”
Even through Hu San Dao’s words, Chen Jin Chao could feel the chaos in the Hua Guo military, with internal strife being common.
No wonder Hu San Dao regarded Chen Jin Chao as a new stabilizing force.
But…
Chen Jin Chao knew very well that even if he had the idea, the Qin family would not let him have his way.
As for the Li family, he did not dare to hope for their favor.
Power was not given, but earned with one’s own hands. Unfortunately, Chen Jin Chao had lost most of his strength, which also led to his loss of confidence.
Hu San Dao patted Chen Jin Chao on the shoulder and said, “Let’s not talk about these things for now. Your safe return is the best news for our faction. We’ll deal with future matters in the future. Your wife and child are waiting for you at home. Go back and see them.”
“I’ve seen your daughter, she’s very cute.”
Chen Jin Chao pursed his lips and smiled, “Brother Hu, thank you anyway.”
“Otherwise…”
“I might have died at sea.”
Hu San Dao smiled and said, “Alright, we are all Elder Xu’s subordinates. Perhaps I will have to rely on you in the future. Don’t say such polite words again. I know you are eager to return home, so I have already arranged for a helicopter to take you back to the nearest Yue Zhou Province.”
“Okay, thank you, Brother Hu.” Chen Jin Chao expressed his gratitude.
“By the way, who are those two people?” Hu San Dao asked in a low voice.
Chen Jin Chao knew he was referring to Shan Li Qian Hui and Shan Li Dou Liu. He hesitated before sighing, “It’s a long story. We can talk about it over drinks when we have time in the future.”
“Haha, I understand, I understand,” Hu San Dao said meaningfully.
Hu San Dao personally escorted Chen Jin Chao to the deck, then had Shan Li Qian Hui and the other person brought out, and watched the three of them board the helicopter bound for Yue Zhou Province.
The three finally embarked on their journey home.
Shan Li Qian Hui was clearly very nervous. Chen Jin Chao held her hand and said, “Don’t be nervous. Aren’t I still here?”
“I, I’m not nervous,” Shan Li Qian Hui denied.
Shan Li Dou Liu looked out at the vast, blue waves and sighed, “I’ve lived for over sixty years, and I’ve heard many stories about Hua Guo, but I’ve never actually set foot on this land. I never expected to come to Hua Guo when I’m about to die.”
Chen Jin Chao also fell silent, looking at the scenery outside the window.
Three years.
He wondered how they were all doing now?
The closer they got to the coastline of Hua Guo, the more nervous Chen Jin Chao became.
Even Shan Li Qian Hui could sense it.
She weakly said to Chen Jin Chao, “Jin Chao, don’t be nervous. Going home is a good thing. You should be happy.”
“I, I’m not nervous either,” Chen Jin Chao denied.
Shan Li Qian Hui chuckled inwardly.
Having lived with Chen Jin Chao for three years, this was the first time she had seen him so nervous.
After a two-hour flight, Chen Jin Chao and the other two could see the land beneath them – the mountains and rivers of Hua Guo, the colorful villages of Hua Guo, and the tall buildings of Hua Guo…
The helicopter finally landed at a small military airport.
Chen Jin Chao sat in his chair for a long time without moving. The past three years felt like a dream to him, and now that the dream was over, he was home.
“Jin Chao, why are you crying?” Shan Li Qian Hui asked, a little nervously.
She wiped away the tears from Chen Jin Chao’s eyes. Chen Jin Chao said in a hoarse voice, “It’s nothing. I’m just too excited, too happy.”
“Yes, you’re home,” Shan Li Qian Hui also said.
“Let’s get off the plane first, and then you can take me to see your wife and daughter.”
Chen Jin Chao froze and gripped Shan Li Qian Hui’s hand tightly.
As the three of them walked off the plane, a middle-aged man with an imposing presence stood at the front of the welcoming crowd. Chen Jin Chao was somewhat surprised when he saw the man. The middle-aged man smiled and said, “Chen Jin Chao, long time no see. We meet again.”
The middle-aged man was none other than Jiang Yang Ping of the Jiang family in Yue Zhou.
Chen Jin Chao had met Jiang Yang Ping once at Ling Yin Temple. At that time, Jiang Yang Ping had arrested his own grandfather, Jiang Cheng Xi, which made Chen Jin Chao feel that this man was extraordinary.
“Long time no see,” Chen Jin Chao replied, not trying to get close to Jiang Yang Ping.
Jiang Yang Ping’s attitude was neither warm nor cold. He smiled faintly and said, “I didn’t expect you to still be alive. It’s surprising to everyone.”
“Perhaps the King of Hell is still reluctant to take my life,” Chen Jin Chao replied indifferently.
Jiang Yang Ping’s smile was very perfunctory, seemingly devoid of any emotion. “I won’t say much to you. Yu Meng Zhi is still waiting for you in the capital. You can rest in the lounge for a while, and I will arrange for a special plane to send you back to the capital later.”
Chen Jin Chao did not stand on ceremony with Jiang Yang Ping. “Okay, thank you for the trouble.”
After watching the three of them head to the resting area, Jiang Yang Ping’s smile gradually faded, and a hint of coldness even appeared in his eyes.
“Everyone is surprised that you could return alive.”
“But–”
“This world has grown accustomed to your absence. A dead hero is a true hero. You should remain in the memory of the people.”