There was no need for Su Fan to hide anything from Xia Yuan.
If it had been before, Xia Yuan would have been a suspect in his eyes. However, after learning from Xia Yun that someone in the Ministry of War intended to deal with Xia Yuan, Su Fan had cleared Xia Yuan. It was likely that others were colluding with Fang Shijie, and with considerable influence and support from the Ministry of War, if Xia Yuan were to fall, the next step would be for this person to seize military power, thereby giving Fang Shijie the strength to rebel.
"Oh?"
Xia Yuan was particularly surprised.
The Crown Prince's people?
It wasn't that Xia Yuan had any prejudice against the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince was officially appointed by His Majesty, the legitimate heir of the imperial family, and there were no issues. It was just that the Crown Prince had discovered someone plotting rebellion, which surprised Xia Yuan.
He had no acquaintance with the Crown Prince. Judging from the Crown Prince's past behavior, he was a straightforward and unpretentious person. Xia Yuan hadn't expected him to detect a rebellion plot, which suggested that the Crown Prince's outward appearance was merely a disguise.
"Who in the army do you think is colluding with Fang Shijie?"
Xia Yuan asked Su Fan.
"Unknown for now. This will require the General's help to observe. If there are any clues, please inform this humble one, so I can report back to the Crown Prince."
How could Su Fan know who the traitor in the army was? He had only arrived at the military camp today.
"Alright, but I have one request."
Xia Yuan nodded and said to Su Fan.
"Please, General, speak."
"Take care of Yun'er for me. It's not safe here."
Xia Yuan wanted Su Fan to take Xia Yun away. The war zone was too dangerous, not only because of the enemies on the battlefield but also because of internal problems. He didn't want his daughter to stay in the army.
"Father!"
Xia Yun nervously clutched her father's hand.
"Yun'er, I will worry about you if you stay in the army. Returning to the bandit suppression camp with Su Fan will be relatively safer."
Xia Yuan held his daughter's hand back and said comfortingly.
Xia Yun said nothing more. She understood her father; once he made a decision, he rarely changed it.
"Rest assured, General! I will protect her well."
Su Fan assured Xia Yuan.
[Ding! Side Quest: Undercurrents, investigate the traitor in the army and protect Xia Yun from harm during this period. Reward: 200,000 experience points, 500 reputation points.]
Su Fan triggered another side quest and was delighted.
He had found it strange that the previous mission assigned by Xiao Yan hadn't triggered any side quests.
So, it turned out he had to go through Xia Yuan to trigger it.
Before long, it was lunchtime, and the mess hall sent over the day's meal.
Su Fan took a look. Everyone had the same thing: meat soup, flatbread, and two pieces of preserved vegetables.
The dignified Great General ate such food.
Su Fan suddenly felt it wasn't worth it for Xia Yuan.
He had fought battles for most of his life, and this kind of meal had likely become the norm. What was he fighting for? Was it just for honor that he risked his life to conquer the world?
Su Fan didn't understand. Perhaps he had faith. People with faith were always happy.
After Su Fan and the other ate the unappetizing lunch, it was time to leave.
"General Xia, farewell."
Su Fan bid farewell to Xia Yuan, as he had brought Xia Yun here and needed to take her back.
After Su Fan left, in a military tent somewhere in the camp.
"Go, kill this Su Fan on the way and capture Xia Yun!"
A certain general was giving orders to his personal guards.
"Yes!"
The personal guards immediately accepted the order and set off to pursue Su Fan and the other.
Su Fan had no idea they were being targeted. He was currently driving a carriage towards the bandit suppression camp.
"Su Fan."
Xia Yun, inside the carriage, suddenly called Su Fan's name.
"Whoa!"
Su Fan immediately pulled the reins and stopped.
"What's wrong?"
Su Fan turned back and asked Xia Yun.
"Will my father be alright?"
Xia Yun was still worried about her father's safety.
The enemy was hidden, while Xia Yuan was constantly exposed. This made Xia Yun very worried about her father.
Even if Xia Yuan was now on guard, without knowing who the enemy was, he could still fall into a trap.
"Don't worry. Your father has fought more battles, big and small, than I have crossed bridges. Who could possibly ambush your father? Don't worry, he'll be fine."
Su Fan said comfortingly to Xia Yun.
In Su Fan's opinion, if Xia Yuan were unprepared, he might still be in danger. But if he was on guard and still got ambushed, then he shouldn't be called the Lord of Pingnan, but a fool.
Although Su Fan said this, Xia Yun was still uneasy.
"Someone in the army is colluding with Fang Shijie. If we eliminate Fang Shijie, will everything be alright?"
Xia Yun's thought process was unclear; she suddenly had this idea.
"Miss, it's not as simple as you think. Once the fire of ambition is ignited in the heart, it won't be easily extinguished. Even if one Fang Shijie dies now, another Fang Shijie will soon appear. To eradicate it completely, the entire root system must be pulled out. Fang Shijie can still be used to lure out other accomplices, so he cannot be moved yet. Besides, he is a king of a different surname. Do you think you can just move him as you please?"
Su Fan explained helplessly to Xia Yun.
Xia Yun fell silent.
Having lived in seclusion for a long time, Xia Yun didn't understand these matters.
"Alright, let's go back first and talk."
Su Fan said to Xia Yun and prepared to drive the carriage again.
"You won't be able to go back!"
A stern shout came from behind Su Fan. Su Fan leaped up abruptly.
A long saber slashed at the spot where Su Fan had been, separating the carriage from the horse.
Xia Yun, inside the carriage, immediately stumbled.
The horse whinnied and was thrown a considerable distance. Fortunately, the horse wasn't startled and didn't run far.
Su Fan landed on the ground and immediately saw the person who had ambushed him.
Dressed in black, with a black cloth covering his face, he was clearly an assassin sent specifically for them.
"You came to kill us right after we left the military camp. Who sent you? Meng Xingbang?"
Su Fan said with a cold smile.
It wasn't surprising that he thought of Meng Xingbang. Su Fan had interacted with Meng Xingbang today, so who else could it be?
"Stop the nonsense! It's your fault for bringing the wrong person!"
The other party didn't engage with Su Fan's words and attacked Su Fan again.
Su Fan frowned. The basic information of the opponent appeared before him.
Soldier (Elite)
Level: 40
Health: 300000/300000
A level 40 elite monster with 300,000 health.
Golden Bell Shield!
Su Fan used a skill to increase his defense and for insurance.
Then he raised his sword to block.
Clang!
The opponent's saber struck Su Fan's sword, and sparks immediately flew from the blade.
Lingering Charm!
Su Fan didn't hesitate and took the opportunity to use a control skill on the soldier before him.
The opponent froze in place.
Grasping at Straws!
Shadow Dance Slash!
Thunderous Might!
After a full combo, the opponent was instantly killed.
A blue light appeared before Su Fan.
Su Fan was immediately delighted.
The drop rate during this period was really high!
Tai Chi Silk Robe (Blue)
Level: 40
(Unidentified)
It was an equipment Su Fan already had, but it wasn't redundant. What if it turned out to be better than the previous one after identification?
One piece of equipment wasn't enough. Su Fan needed to find a set of equipment with the most suitable attributes to strengthen.