Seeing this expression, Zhou Mu's expression changed slightly, and he subconsciously moved a little further away from Lu Shan. His eyes were as if he were looking at a monster. "Stay away from me. I'm a normal person. Don't lead me astray."

Lu Shan didn't seem to care much. He chuckled quietly, then leaned closer. A glint of light flashed in his dark eyes. He then said softly, "Take some time these next few days to bring Xiao Jiu back. It's not good for her to stay in the Great Qin Region all the time."

Zhou Mu's expression changed slightly, and then he let out a soft breath, his eyes unfocused.

His facial muscles twitched violently. "It's not that I didn't expect it, but... I'm afraid..."

At this point, Zhou Mu hesitated, timid and unable to speak.

Lu Shan became anxious upon seeing this, stepped forward, gently grasped Zhou Mu's shoulder, and forced his somewhat evasive eyes to meet his gaze. He said, "I know what you're afraid of. However, I must tell you that you're overthinking it. That's absolutely impossible."

In fact, what caused Zhou Mu to react this way was simply his fear of a scene that often appeared in novels.

For example, after childhood sweethearts part ways, they might get engaged, or something similar, or it's not impossible that they might be separated by death.

After all, the Qin region, which was far away, was beyond his sphere of influence.

To some extent, for Zhou Mu, no news is the best news. When Chen Tai'a took Ye Mujiu away, he said that the illness that was troubling Ye Mujiu would be cured in at most six months.

Judging by the current timeframe, it seems that the deadline is fast approaching.

"There are still thirteen days left. Subtracting the time you spend on the road, it will be almost time when you arrive," Lu Shan said with a smile.

Zhou Mu nodded without saying a word, tilting his head slightly to look up at the azure sky. A deep, unfathomable light shone in his dark eyes, and then he slowly exhaled a breath of stale air.

When he looked at Lu Shan beside him, a complex expression quietly appeared in his clear eyes. "If I go, I might have to take a few people with me."

"good."

As Lu Shan had memorized the tropes of those fantasy novels, he naturally understood Zhou Mu's concerns. He was simply worried that the people of the Great Qin Region wouldn't let Xiao Jiu leave so easily.

After all, even if Chen Tai'a was willing to help Ye Mujiu, the Qin royal family was not one to sit idly by and would never do anything that would be unprofitable. They probably wouldn't be able to get out easily without paying a price.

However, if they were to bring along a few powerful helpers, even if the Great Qin Domain wanted to keep them despite their wishes, they would have to pay a price.

Given that this is a losing business, I wonder if the Great Qin Domain would actually do it.

...

Great Qin Domain

The magnificent palace complex is imposing and grand. Among the carved beams and painted pillars, there are five golden dragons with ferocious faces, exuding an extremely powerful aura.

Compared to the pure noble dragon lineage of the Dragon Clan, the Great Qin Domain is somewhat weaker. However, its golden dragons are not inferior to those of the Dragon Clan, only differing in form, resembling two different branches.

That's right.

The current dragon race, or rather the dragon race of tens of thousands of years ago, was originally the Dragon Emperor Venerable, who fought a great battle between heaven and earth and ruled the vast Nine Provinces continent.

Dragon Emperor.

The dragon king, the progenitor of all things, is why the dragon race establishes itself in the harsh borderlands, in order to drive the extraterrestrial demons beyond the Nine Provinces, guard the nation, and protect the country.

Even though the dragon clan is a powerful and influential group, people have to admit that if it weren't for the dragon clan protecting the borders, the Nine Provinces Continent would have been devastated long ago.

The Great Qin Domain was also tainted by a trace of dragon energy. Legend has it that the founding emperor of the Great Qin Domain was the younger brother of the Dragon Emperor.

The Great Qin Domain and the Dragon Clan are of the same lineage. Therefore, in the vast Nine Provinces Continent, the Great Qin Domain is the second closest to the extraterrestrial demons, and it is adjacent to the Dragon Clan.

Once the extraterrestrial demons break through the Dragon Clan's blockade, the Great Qin Domain will be the first to suffer.

Such a sense of responsibility is also the foundation upon which the Great Qin Domain stands above other forces on the Nine Provinces Continent.

Inside the hall

On a dark rosewood armchair, a middle-aged man sat with his legs crossed, a disdainful smile on his face. His feet were raised high and placed on a long rosewood table, revealing a pair of black shoes. The five golden dragons on the heels were particularly eye-catching, exuding a chilling aura.

Below him was a row of people sitting down as well.

The oldest among them was already white-haired and very old, but his skin, which resembled withered tree bark, exuded a hint of fierceness. The youngest, however, already had graying temples.

"His Majesty……"

The very old man spoke slowly.

"What is it?"

Upon hearing the old man speak, Emperor Qin Yan of the Great Qin Domain slightly tensed up, his expression becoming more serious, and he put away his crossed legs.

He then looked at the person seriously.

Xu Heng, a veteran of three dynasties, has served three dynasties and possesses extremely strong cultivation. He is also a pillar of the Great Qin Domain and a martial artist at the Spirit Emperor level.

If he were to treat others casually, then when facing Xu Heng, he would naturally have to be extremely vigilant.

Xu Heng smiled faintly, then frowned and asked, "With the border army gathering, does our Great Qin Domain need to reinforce the Dragon Clan?"

Originally, this was not even a proposal, but now it was brought up at the cabinet meeting. After Xu Heng, the highest-ranking official in the cabinet, spoke up, no one responded. Even the emperor of the Great Qin Domain showed a deep expression.

It was obvious that his disapproval of sending troops was practically written all over his face.

However, to some extent, this is not up to him to decide. After all, the entire continent of Kyushu is one, and we all prosper together or suffer together.

Previously, one only needed to inform His Majesty the Emperor to bypass the Ministry of War officials and send troops. However, since he became the Emperor of the Great Qin Region, he has changed all the rules left by his ancestors.

This greatly displeased Xu Heng, the Grand Secretary and a veteran of three reigns.

"Cough cough..."

The vast hall was silent, while Xu Heng's slightly sharp gaze remained fixed on His Majesty the Emperor. Qin Yan, feeling embarrassed, coughed lightly.

Soon, his close advisors understood and quickly stood up. The rustling of their clothes drew everyone's attention, but Xu Heng kept staring at Qin Yan, as if no one could attract his attention.

"Your Majesty, I have something to say, but I don't know if I should say it or not." Zhao Ping's words were obviously nonsense, because he hadn't thought of the right words since he had just gotten up.

Qin Yan suddenly looked up, his eyes lighting up. The immense pressure on him instantly lessened. His gaze fell on Zhao Ping, his voice slightly excited, "Speak! Before me, you should speak frankly and without reservation."