Sand filled the air, and figures vanished.
The swirling sandstorm gradually obscured the vision of everyone in the river town, and the figures of Chen Yu and his party disappeared into the wind and sand, leaving no trace.
"Dad, will I see Brother Chen again?"
Ronnie, biting her lip, tightly clasped her small hands, her eyes inexplicably welling up with a hint of crystal clear moisture.
She didn't know exactly what had happened.
Whether it was Chen Yu's revealed identity or the tiger tally he mentioned, she didn't understand their special significance. Yet, she had a feeling that Chen Yu's journey was extremely dangerous, and a moment's carelessness might mean a final farewell.
"I... I didn't even properly say goodbye to Brother Chen."
"It seems that spending time with Mr. Chen during this period has changed my precious daughter a lot," Fu Hua Aierdun gently stroked Ronnie's hair. "You're so concerned about Mr. Chen; I wonder if you're as concerned about your own father. I'm inexplicably a bit jealous."
"Dad!!"
Ronnie frowned and chided him, while Fu Hua Aierdun ceased his teasing and whispered.
"Don't worry. Mr. Chen is a rare talent I've encountered in my life. Both his intellect and his way of dealing with people are no worse than those ancient beings who have lived for thousands of years. Perhaps this journey is very dangerous, a desperate situation for many, but I don't think it can defeat him."
"So, we'll meet again?" Ronnie's eyes were filled with hope.
"We will."
Fu Hua Aierdun said so, his eyes filled with a smile.
"Gems need to be polished by wind and sand to become brilliant. Mr. Chen is like that gem being polished; his future will only become more brilliant, never shattered like that. Just wait, the next time we meet, perhaps Mr. Chen's achievements will be something we can only look up to."
"Then... I need to work harder too." Ronnie suddenly clenched her fist.
"For Brother Chen?"
"Of course not..." Somehow, a blush appeared on Ronnie's face. "Our Aierdun family is cooperating with Brother Chen. Since Brother Chen will become so brilliant in the future, we must at least keep pace with his steps to be considered qualified partners."
"That's not wrong."
If she wanted to stand by Chen Yu's side as his ally, keeping pace with him was inevitable.
Who would bring a burden?
Especially here, in the underground, the treacherous underground that devoured people without spitting out bones!
"Dad, you... tell me about our family's affairs." Suddenly, Ronnie looked up with a serious expression. "I know you've always wanted to protect me well, but I've grown up now. I shouldn't always live under your wing; I want to see this world with my own eyes."
"Boss..."
At the same time, Hei Dou tightly gripped the crystal card Chen Yu had given him, gazing at the receding figure of Chen Yu.
"He left you behind," Liu Yue came silently to Hei Dou's side and whispered. Hei Dou nodded slightly, looking at the woman he admired.
In the past, his heart would uncontrollably race whenever he saw Liu Yue.
But now—
His heart was remarkably calm.
His mind was entirely on Chen Yu. He couldn't deny that he liked Liu Yue, and considered her his beloved, but Chen Yu was also his boss. Both of them were very important to him.
The journey to the Kingdom of Tatu was perilous, and Chen Yu had revealed that he held the tiger tally.
Hei Dou was genuinely worried about what accidents Chen Yu might encounter on his way to the Kingdom of Tatu.
"Mr. Chen must have his reasons for leaving you here. I won't pry into the details, and you don't need to mention them to me," Liu Yue spoke on her own. "If you need any help, feel free to ask me. As long as it's within my capabilities, I'll do my best to assist you."
"Thank you."
"Why be polite with me?" Liu Yue, clad in armor, blushed slightly. "Both our sides want to intentionally bring us together. Su Zhan's thoughts are clear; he also wants me to get along with you. I don't have a bad impression of you, and besides, didn't I say everything I wanted to say last night? I will do my best to support you, and when you grow to the threshold I mentioned, I... will go with you."
"Heh, then I won't be polite."
The previously somber Hei Dou instantly grinned, his small hand sneakily reaching for Liu Yue's.
"Wifey!"
"Are you looking for death?!" In an instant, Liu Yue performed a joint lock, restraining Hei Dou's wrist. "I said, you need to grow to the threshold I mentioned. You're still far from it."
"Ow ow ow, that hurts..."
Hei Dou yelped in pain. Liu Yue forcefully pushed him forward, and he landed on the ground with a thud.
"Liu Yue, how could you treat Brother Hei Dou like this?" Su Zhan frowned, stepping forward to help Hei Dou up. "Brother Hei Dou, since Old Chen left you with me, you are his brother, and therefore you are Su Zhan's brother. If you need anything, just tell me, no questions asked."
Hei Dou subtly glanced at Liu Yue, and Su Zhan's expression immediately turned a bit green.
"She... you really have to rely on your own abilities, but I believe in you. I know Old Chen's strength, and if he recognizes you, you can't be too bad. Work hard!" Su Zhan patted Hei Dou's shoulder heavily, then leaned in and whispered into his ear, "Brother Hei Dou, it's not that I'm not helping you, but she doesn't listen to me either. You're on your own."
Patting Hei Dou's shoulder again, Su Zhan gazed intently into the distance of the sandstorm.
No one knew better than Su Zhan how dangerous Chen Yu's current undertaking was, yet this level of danger was far beyond what a mere city lord like himself could intervene in.
If he were currently the king of the Batu Free Federation, he could issue a proclamation without hesitation.
Chen Yu, he would protect him!
As a mere minor city lord, insignificant as dust to the various nations, how could he protect Chen Yu? All he could do now was silently pray for Chen Yu's survival in this endeavor, while also focusing on the impending national war and striving to make a name for himself in the conflict between the two countries.
As long as he could gain enough fame and strength that the other nations would consider him.
He would have a say in this matter!
"Hoo..."
Taking a deep breath, Su Zhan retracted his gaze, cupped his hands, and smilingly approached Fu Hua Aierdun.
"Patriarch Fu Hua, let's head back to the city," Su Zhan whispered softly. "When our chief arrives later, if they see you outside the city, they might blame me for not providing proper hospitality."
"City Lord Su, please."
"Patriarch Fu Hua, you first."
The send-off party from the river town returned to the city. The wind and sand outside the city continued to blow, and the long footprints left by Chen Yu and his group were soon covered by new sand and stones.
Everything was as if nothing had happened. No one had left, and no one had seen them off.