Chapter 133: An Unyielding Ambition, The Imperial Dragon Vein

The Battle of Beiting City had come to an end. Prince Pang Ji led his remnants in a retreat to Anxi Prefecture, only to find the military banners atop the city gates replaced by those of the Feng Dynasty.

He vomited a mouthful of blood in his fury. This battle, once considered a sure victory, had ended in a disastrous defeat. It felt as if the tide of war had been turned by Han Chong’s interference more times than he could count. Now, with his exhausted troops unable to fight further, he had no choice but to flee north toward the Kingdom of Shule.

With the remnants of both armies scattered and incapable of further combat, the situation in the Northwest finally began to stabilize. The Great King of Beilu, consumed by rage, sent six high-ranking officials to lobby the other six kingdoms, swearing to unite their forces against the Feng Dynasty. However, the crushing defeat of the two kingdoms had intimidated the other nations, who had been preparing for war, into politely declining the request. Their scouts had reported back that despite the overwhelming numerical superiority of the two allied kingdoms, the outcome was shocking: a million-strong army annihilated, the twelfth prince of Bilu, Chang Zan, killed in action, and the two elite beast-rider divisions decimated—a devastating blow to their vitality.

Meanwhile, at the imperial court of the Great Feng, the arrival of the victory dispatch left the princes and the civil and military officials in utter astonishment. Even the Emperor of Feng was stunned for a moment before being overcome with joy. What he found most unbelievable was that the First Prince had credited Han Chong, a fourth-rank guerrilla general of the Demon-Slaying Division, as the primary contributor to the victory—a move completely out of character for him. As the dispatch lacked detailed accounts of the battle, the Emperor’s curiosity was piqued, and he ordered the First Prince to lead his generals back to the capital.

...

Because the kingdoms of Shule and Beilu still harbored malicious intent, the First Prince returned to the capital with only his Divine Strategy Army, personally ordering Han Chong and the Demon-Slaying Battalion to join the march.

Several days later.

"General Han, His Highness requests your presence in his carriage for a conversation."

*Oh?* Han Chong wondered to himself, *is the First Prince plotting some new scheme?* Yet, based on his observations, the man was outwardly fierce but inwardly cowardly and vain. Having been terrified by the sight of Han Chong decapitating a prince, he likely wouldn't dare to resort to underhanded tactics again.

Stepping into the spacious war chariot, Han Chong found the interior luxuriously adorned. Fine wine and delicacies sat upon the tea table. Four maidservants knelt on either side, and two generals in red armor were also present. When the two generals looked at Han Chong, however, there was a trace of fear in their eyes, and they dared not meet his gaze.

Han Chong paid them no mind and offered a salute. "General Han Chong greets Your Highness. I wonder what orders you have for me?"

"Haha, come, General Han, please take a seat. I have a matter to discuss, and I believe you will find it most interesting." He waved his hand, dismissing the servants.

"Oh?" Han Chong’s heart stirred slightly; he sat down with a faint smile.

"General Han, have you ever heard of the Dragon Veins?"

The First Prince’s question was startling. Han Chong’s pupils constricted slightly as he looked at him in confusion. "Such imperial secrets are not for someone like me to pry into. I do not understand why Your Highness would ask this."

"Hehe, in truth, the concept of Dragon Veins is no secret to cultivators of the Void-Return realm or martial artists of the Heaven-Extreme realm. It is no surprise you are unaware, given your busy schedule. In reality, the world is filled with dynasties—not just the Great Feng and its seven neighbors; they are scattered like stars across the sky. But to establish an imperial dynasty, one must possess a national Dragon Vein! Only a Dragon Vein can aggregate and store the fortune of the people, which can then be harnessed through sacred objects like the Emperor’s Seal or imperial edicts. This fortune can be bestowed upon registered officials, granting them immunity from disease and evil. Even we princes and royals can draw upon this fortune through our bloodlines to combat enemies with unfathomable power—as you have seen yourself."

"Indeed, when Your Highness was empowered by that fortune, your divine might was awe-inspiring, rivaling that of a Heaven-Extreme martial artist. I was deeply shocked."

"Haha, that is true, but the infusion of such power places a terrifying burden on the physical body. It cannot be sustained; I can only force myself to use it for a moment."

Han Chong did not understand why the First Prince would reveal such secrets. The rule that "the more you know, the more dangerous it becomes" held true every time.

"To get to the point, my fellow princes and I have heard rumors that when the former Yinyue Dynasty fell, its Dragon Vein was damaged by an unknown powerhouse, but its core remains in this world. If one could find it and undergo its baptism, it could cleanse the marrow and reshape the bloodline of a royal, perhaps even leading to a startling transformation. That is why we princes have been secretly dispatching experts to search for it. It is a pity that those we sent either could not find the entrance or never returned. It is truly bizarre."

"Your Highness, I have absolutely no interest in treasure hunting."

Han Chong appeared indifferent, but deep down, his thoughts were churning. During his trip to the Northwest, the blood snake in his body had shown no signs of emerging; he felt as though he were missing a vital catalyst. The old Taoist had warned him that unless the blood snake transformed into a dragon, he must never set foot in the imperial palace, or he would face an unpredictable catastrophe. If what the First Prince said was true, he might be able to investigate it himself. With his many Earth-Fiend secret arts and his current Heaven-Human realm cultivation, he might just have a chance.

"Hehe, General Han, do not be so quick to refuse. I know that you are not moved by fame or wealth. But for one who risks their life to find this Dragon Vein, the immersion in such dense fortune could significantly enhance your physical strength and might even yield indescribable benefits!"

"This is an opportunity that does not come every year, for this is the year of the decennial manifestation of the Yinyue Dynasty's Dragon Vein. Countless martial masters and Void-Return powerhouses have tried in vain to obtain the location from us. Once this chance is missed, the regret will be eternal!"

The First Prince spoke with a relaxed smile. He had deliberated carefully before deciding to reveal this to Han Chong. He was certain that a dedicated ascetic like Han Chong, who could not be bought, would be tempted—perhaps even to the point of risking his life.

"Hehe, Your Highness has always held prejudices against me. Why reveal this secret to me? And even if I were to find the Dragon Vein, how can you be certain I would tell you its location?"

"Ha, first, I must admit I held prejudices against you, but the battle the other day gave me a new perspective on you. Secondly, I must affirm your bravery, resolve, and resourcefulness. You are the most suitable candidate I can imagine. As for whether you would tell me, there is no need to worry. To find the Dragon Vein, one must carry a 'Dragon-Seeking Compass' custom-made by the Imperial Observatory. Once the Dragon Vein is entered, the compass will be destroyed, and I will naturally know its location."

"I see. Where is the Dragon Vein roughly located?"

Han Chong nodded. As he suspected, the Prince was confident in the compass created by the Imperial Observatory.

"General Han, do not be impatient. Once we reach the capital, I will personally hand the Dragon-Seeking Compass to you!" The First Prince’s lips curled into a faint smile. *This boy is hooked.*

After Han Chong left the carriage, one of the red-clad generals asked, "Your Highness, do you truly intend to let that brat help you find the Dragon Vein?"

"Hehe, his strength is formidable, and his cunning is endless; he is truly the most suitable candidate. Besides, I have sent several top-tier experts, even persuading a Heaven-Extreme master to go, and none have returned. If this boy dies inside, then he has simply met his fate."