Divine Emperor of Heavenly Destiny

Just as Lu Chao had predicted, Fan Changcun needed a greater shock. And so, Lu Chao decided to give him one.

Just then, Lu Chao noticed that Fan Changcun’s ice-cold palm seemed to be regaining some warmth.

Thrilled, he continued speaking...

”Regrettably, I can no longer lead the armies of Great Wu to charge into the Six Great Flame Countries.”

”I was ’killed’ by Lu Dingtian.”

”But I came back to life. I came across Master Fan and the descendants of the Azure Flame Sect as they tried to assassinate Lu Hanyan. Regrettably, even though I gave it my all, I only managed to save Master Fan and two thousand of the Azure Flame Sect descendants.”

Fan Jinhua, who was standing to the side, shook his head frantically. That wasn’t how it happened at all.

’If Lu Chao had been there for the assassination, perhaps it would have succeeded. But at the time, they never even thought of involving Lu Chao.’

’Back then, he had only just met Lu Chao at the Cheng Mansion.’

’By the time Lu Chao actually made a move, there were only two thousand people left.’

”Now, the Six Great Flame Countries are eager to eliminate the Descendants of Azure Flame, and they can’t stay in the Great Wu Empire. They have almost nowhere left to go.”

”They need you. The families of the five thousand Descendants of Azure Flame all need you.”

As Lu Chao spoke...

Fan Jinhua stopped wondering why Lu Chao was claiming to be the Great Wu Lu Chao, the one who had died at the Blood Stele. ’He must be trying to shock Grandpa, right?’ In any case, he quickly dropped to his knees...

His voice thick with tears, he pleaded, ”Grandpa, we all need you.”

The words had barely left his mouth when—BUZZ!

The Heavenly Destiny Tiger General Bone within Fan Changcun’s body suddenly pulsed, releasing slivers of True Qi. In the next instant, his dissipating soul seemed to be called back by his Heavenly Destiny Tiger General Bone.

A flicker of life suddenly returned. Fan Changcun’s eyes shot open, revealing a pair of clouded orbs.

He was awake. Lu Chao was ecstatic...

While Fan Jinhua was still kneeling, oblivious to the situation, Fan Changcun’s clouded eyes gradually cleared. He stared intently at Lu Chao from the bed, then slowly said, ”Lu... Chao!”

His voice was hoarse, but it carried a tone of delighted surprise.

The moment those two words were spoken, the grieving Fan Jinhua, still on his knees, jerked his head up. Tears of joy began to stream down his face.

He tried to call out, but the sound was stuck in his throat and wouldn’t come out.

Lu Chao said in a low, resonant voice, ”It is I, Marshal Fan. Do you still remember me?”

Back then, to show his respect for Fan Changcun, he had disobeyed Lu Dingtian’s orders for the first time and removed his mask.

So of course, Fan Changcun recognized him.

”I remember. I’ve always remembered... Good lad, good lad.”

Fan Changcun’s wizened voice gradually grew stronger as he spoke with excitement, ”You’re still alive... Wonderful, just wonderful. When I heard that you’d been killed by Lu Dingtian, I was filled with regret. Three years ago, I only taught you the Soldier Dao, but I failed to teach you how to read people.”

Lu Chao’s gaze froze. ’So it was true. Three years ago, Marshal Fan really was going easy on me.’

Looking at the frail, elderly Fan Changcun before him...

Lu Chao knew perfectly well that Fan Changcun wasn’t saying this to make him feel indebted. These were the heartfelt words of an old man who had just walked to the edge of life and back.

Suddenly, Lu Chao took two steps back and dropped to his knees with a THUD.

’Without Fan Changcun, my military strategy would never be as formidable as it is today. One can rely on talent for the Martial Dao, but the Soldier Dao is best learned under the guidance of a master...’

’And Fan Changcun’s guidance had come at the cost of his own reputation, all to build me up as the Great Martial Emperor Star.’

’If Fan Changcun had gone all-out with his strategies three years ago, I would have surely died on that battlefield.’

Fan Changcun tried to sit up, but he still lacked the strength. ”My boy, quick, get up... I had my own selfish reasons.”

His ulterior motive, of course, was his hope that Lu Chao would be able to charge into the Six Great Flame Countries and rescue the Descendants of Azure Flame.

THUD. THUD. THUD...

After three heavy kowtows, Lu Chao slowly got to his feet.

Fan Jinhua, however, was still kneeling nearby, staring at Lu Chao with a look of utter confusion, his mouth hanging wide open.

’Just a moment ago, I thought Lu Chao was just using the name and stories of the Great Martial Emperor Star Lu Chao to shock Grandpa. But it seems... he’s the real deal?’

Fan Jinhua’s mind was a chaotic mess.

Just then, Li Wumian’s incredibly irritated roar came from outside...

”Tiger Flame Second Prince, do not push me too far.”

”My position in the Dragon Flame Kingdom is not low. Believe it or not, I can have the Dragon Flame Kingdom dispatch its troops and make you face enemies on both your front and back!”

In the time it took for Lu Chao to shock Fan Changcun back to consciousness, Chang Qi had already started to relentlessly pressure Li Wumian.

That was why Li Wumian was shouting his furious threats.

The Dragon Flame Kingdom was the largest and most powerful of the Seven Great Flame Countries; it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call them an empire.

The Hundred Countries were wedged between the Dragon Flame and Great Wu. If the Dragon Flame Kingdom were to send out its army, the Hundred Countries would likely be doomed.

But of course, Chang Qi wasn’t afraid. There was no way the Dragon Flame Kingdom would actually attack the Hundred Countries.

Even if there was the slightest chance, it was certainly not something Li Wumian could orchestrate. The Vice President of the Dragon Flame Celestial King Academy?

A decent position, but it was far from enough.

So Chang Qi continued to use a mix of hard and soft tactics, pressuring Li Wumian to intervene and save Fan Changcun.

They were completely unaware that inside the room, Fan Changcun had already woken up and had even heard Li Wumian’s roars.

Fan Changcun quickly asked, ”What’s the situation outside?”

He had been completely unconscious just moments before and had no idea what had happened.

Fan Jinhua put aside his thoughts about the real or fake Lu Chao and quickly explained the situation outside.

At the same time, Lu Chao also spoke up, quickly and briefly explaining the current situation of the Azure Flame Sect descendants, including the matter of the six Royal Decrees and the reason he was here.

Finally, Lu Chao asked in a low voice, ”Marshal Fan, if I’m not mistaken, you must possess something that the Six Great Flame Countries are determined to get, correct?”

Despite his weakness, Fan Changcun immediately processed all the information.

”That’s right. The reason the people of my Azure Flame Sect’s Soldier Dao Sect were allowed to live for forty more years is that all of them want the Azure Flame Sect’s treasure.”

He gave Lu Chao the answer directly, causing Fan Jinhua’s eyes to widen.

This was something that even he didn’t know.

His grandfather had told Lu Chao as soon as they reunited, and Lu Chao had apparently guessed it long ago.

”We will discuss this matter later...”

”Right now, we must secure more bargaining chips. Otherwise, we’ll be at too great a disadvantage to negotiate with the Six Great Flame Kings.”

Hearing this, a sharp glint flashed in Lu Chao’s eyes.

Then, the old man and the young one began to converse rapidly.

Finally, Fan Changcun instructed, ”Jinhu, go out now and tell them I am no longer in mortal danger.”

Fan Jinhua nodded blankly. ’Between my grandfather and Lu Chao, have I, his own grandson, become an outsider?’

And so, Fan Jinhua turned and walked out of the room...

However, just as he reached the doorway, several figures burst in—they were none other than several of Chang Qi’s expert guards.

Fan Jinhua blocked their path...

The lead guard said coldly, ”Fan Jinhua, get the hell out of the way. The Second Prince wants that brat dragged out and executed on the spot.”