After coming up with a solution, Han Feng immediately dialed Liu Xiaoran again and instructed him to bring Chi Shangling back to China as soon as possible.
On the other end of the phone, Liu Xiaoran's voice remained as calm as ice: "Understood. I will arrive in China within six hours."
"Be careful," Han Feng added. "Chi Shangling's condition is unstable right now; the Moon Demon Clan's energy could erupt at any moment. If the situation becomes critical, prioritize your own safety."
After hanging up the phone, Han Feng stretched his arms. The effects of the Life Resurrection Array far exceeded expectations; it not only repaired his injuries but also healed the accumulated internal wounds. He stepped down from the star platform, the bluestone steps gleaming slightly damp in the morning light.
Not far away, Lin Zhengguo and Chen Feng were talking in hushed tones. The old general was unusually dressed in civilian clothes today, but his straight back and sharp eyes still made him instantly recognizable. Chen Feng noticed Han Feng first and immediately straightened his back to salute.
"Are you done with that?" Lin Zhengguo turned around, his gaze lingering on Han Feng's right arm for a moment. "I only told your parents you went on a mission."
"Thank you, sir." Han Feng smiled. "How are they doing lately?"
"Very good." A smile flashed in Lin Zhengguo's eyes. "Your dad played chess with me yesterday and won three games in a row."
Chen Feng tactfully stepped aside to keep watch. Lin Zhengguo gestured for Han Feng to follow, and the two walked slowly along the stone path outside the Star Platform. The early autumn morning breeze carried a chill, rustling the half-withered wild grass by the roadside.
"How do you plan to handle things in Country R?" Lin Zhengguo asked bluntly.
Han Feng was prepared: "Chishang Ling is the key. She currently possesses the energy of the Moon Demon clan within her, but at the same time retains the bloodline memories of the Chishang family." He paused, "If we can help her control this power, and then guide it..."
"You want to support her as a puppet?" Lin Zhengguo raised an eyebrow.
"Not entirely." Han Feng shook his head. "Chi Shangling herself possesses extremely high talent; she only lost control because she was corrupted by the Moon Demon Clan's energy. If she could fully control these two powers, coupled with the support we provide..."
Lin Zhengguo suddenly stopped in his tracks: "Do you know what this means? Allowing someone who has fused with alien energy to control the ancient martial arts world of R country?"
"Risk and opportunity coexist." Han Feng's gaze was calm. "The Ikegami family has infiltrated the royal family, and Ikegami Aya now holds absolute power within the family. More importantly—" he lowered his voice, "I am absolutely confident that I can control her."
Lin Zhengguo frowned: "Are you sure?"
"I can confirm it." A glimmer of starlight appeared at Han Feng's fingertips. "I only need to imprint my mental mark on her sea of consciousness. I can use this to establish a mental link, ensuring she won't betray me without needing to forcibly control her."
The old general pondered for a long time, then suddenly asked, "When do you plan to make your move?"
"Liu Xiaoran has already begun his actions," Han Feng stated truthfully. "He should be able to bring Chi Shangling back to China today."
Lin Zhengguo glanced at Dongfang Lin and Zhang Jingcheng, who were talking in the distance. The two elderly men occasionally cast curious glances in their direction. After a moment, he took a deep breath: "From now on, you will be fully responsible for matters related to R Country. If you need any resources, just ask Chen Feng directly; you don't need to consult me anymore."
Han Feng was taken aback: "Commander, this..."
"Don't be too happy yet." Lin Zhengguo said sternly, "If anything goes wrong, I'll still dismiss you." He then laughed, "But with your current abilities, I'm afraid even I can't do anything to you."
Han Feng's heels clicked crisply as he straightened his back and gave Lin Zhengguo a crisp military salute: "Mission accomplished!"
A look of relief flashed in Lin Zhengguo's eyes as he reached out and patted Han Feng's shoulder. Those calloused hands were still strong, but Han Feng could sense that the general he once looked up to was no longer someone he needed to look up to in terms of strength.
"I plan to have Liu Xiaoran take Chi Shangling directly to Longyuan," Han Feng said, lowering his hand and speaking in a low voice. "The facilities there are complete, which will also facilitate our subsequent... overseas plans."
Lin Zhengguo raised an eyebrow slightly: "The next step is overseas?" He glanced thoughtfully at Dongfang Lin in the distance, "Ancient martial arts families?"
"Hmm." Han Feng nodded, his eyes sparkling. A strange sense of urgency followed him like a shadow—since receiving the Jue Li inheritance, he often saw fragmented images during meditation: torrents of blue crystals, a torn sky, and countless hands reaching out from the void... These illusions reminded him that time might not be running out for Blue Star.
"Integrate ground forces first, then consider the air?" Lin Zhengguo asked meaningfully.
Han Feng understood: "A tall building is easily toppled if its foundation is unstable."
The two exchanged a knowing smile, their understanding unspoken. The old general pulled a black token from his pocket and handed it to Han Feng: "Dragon Abyss S-level access, allows you to call the 'Sky Dome' system."
Han Feng's hand trembled slightly as he accepted the token. "Sky Dome" was China's highest-level satellite monitoring network, said to be able to track energy anomalies in any corner of the globe in real time. This trust weighed heavily on his shoulders.
"Don't mess it up." Lin Zhengguo gave one last word of advice, then turned and walked towards Zhang Jingcheng and the others, his back still as straight as a pine tree.
Han Feng put away the token and walked towards the three women who had been waiting for a long time. Dongfang Wantang was showing Liu Mengran some changes on the star chart, while Su Wanwan was kicking pebbles idly. When they saw him coming, the three of them looked up at the same time, and six pairs of eyes were fixed on him like spotlights.
"Is everything arranged?" Liu Mengran asked softly.
"Okay, let's go home and wait for Liu Xiaoran's news." Han Feng naturally took her hand, then nodded to Dongfang Wantang, "Wantang, come along too."
Dongfang Wantang's ears turned slightly red. She stole a glance at Liu Mengran, and seeing that the other party was not displeased, she replied softly, "Okay, okay."
Su Wanwan hopped to Han Feng's other side and deliberately bumped into his shoulder: "What about me? You're not going to leave me at the base to work overtime, are you?"
"How could we dare?" Han Feng chuckled, pinching her nose. "Without Miss Su's hacking skills, we'd be stuck."
The four of them arrived at the gate of the Dongfang family's residence amidst laughter and conversation. Zhang Jingcheng and Dongfang Lin were already waiting there, both of them with solemn expressions on their faces.
"Star Lord," Zhang Jingcheng said, bowing first. "What's our next step...?"
"Notify everyone in the Aristocratic Families Alliance to make necessary adjustments," Han Feng said. "Now that the problem in Country R is resolved, it's the turn of the overseas martial arts families."
Dongfang Lin stroked his beard and smiled: "When does the Star Lord plan to make his move? We can prepare in advance..."
"Let's go back to Kyoto to rest first," Han Feng said seriously. "Once Liu Xiaoran brings Chi Shangling back, I will contact you both immediately. We still need your connections with the overseas ancient martial arts forces."
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