The Hua Xia Imperial Warship moved swiftly, like a beam of light, and in just a brief moment, it arrived at the Hua Xia Palace.
After returning to the palace, Lin Qian led Ye Xin directly to his sleeping quarters, heading toward the room where his father lay in deep slumber.
At this moment, Lin Di was still in his deep sleep, with his mother, Yun Yunyan, constantly by his side.
Seeing her son return, Yun Yunyan's face lit up with joy. "Qian'er, you're back!"
"Mother, didn't you know I was back already? The three elders arrived at the Hua Xia Palace ahead of me. Didn't you hear?"
"Oh, have the three uncles already returned?" Yun Yunyan's expression brightened even more upon hearing this, clearly delighted.
Lin Qian nodded and, after a brief check, located his grandfather's whereabouts.
"Xin'er, spend some time with my mother. I'll go find Grandfather," Lin Qian said, turning to Ye Xin.
Ye Xin nodded and smiled at him. "Go ahead, I'll stay and chat with Mother, catch up on what's been happening."
After hearing Ye Xin's response, Lin Qian nodded in acknowledgment and left the room, heading toward the courtyard where his grandfather, Yun Fan, was located.
Bang!
As soon as Lin Qian left and the door closed, Ye Xin suddenly realized that Yun Yunyan was watching her with a mischievous smile, eyeing her up and down playfully.
Feeling Yun Yunyan's gaze, Ye Xin became a little flustered and shifted awkwardly. "Mother, why are you looking at me like that?"
"Why still call me 'Mother' so formally? You and Qian'er may not have the official title of husband and wife, but you've already acted like one. You should just call me 'Mom' now," Yun Yunyan said cheerfully, stepping forward to take Ye Xin's hand with obvious affection.
Hearing this, Ye Xin immediately understood what Yun Yunyan was implying, her face blushing with embarrassment. She lowered her head shyly. "Mother, what are you saying…?"
"You're still calling me 'Mother'?" Yun Yunyan teased, her expression expectant.
Ye Xin hesitated, her lips moving slightly before she finally murmured softly, "Mom..."
"Ah!" Yun Yunyan's face lit up with joy, gripping Ye Xin's hand even tighter. She then whispered, "So, Xin'er, when are you and Qian'er planning to have a little one?"
"What?" Yun Yunyan's question caused Ye Xin's entire body to heat up, her mind going completely blank. "Mom, um... how about we talk about what happened in the Western Continent instead?"
Meanwhile, Lin Qian, who had just left the room, had no idea what his mother was saying to Ye Xin. He headed straight to a courtyard within the palace.
There, his grandmother, Yun Rong, was playing with the fish in the pond. Seeing Lin Qian approach, she smiled. "Qian'er, you've returned?"
"Yes, Grandmother. I need to speak with Grandfather," Lin Qian replied, bowing respectfully before heading toward the door and knocking lightly.
"We're family; no need to be so formal. Come in," his grandfather's voice called out from inside.
Acknowledging his grandfather's words, Lin Qian opened the door and stepped inside.
As soon as he entered, Lin Qian saw his grandfather sitting at a square table with the three elders.
On the table were neatly arranged ceramic plates filled with spicy fried chicken wings, spicy chicken sandwiches, super chicken nuggets, and Hua Xia chicken wraps.
His grandfather and the three elders were happily feasting, with a large bottle of cola sitting next to them.
What shocked Lin Qian most was that his grandfather and the elders were pouring cola into tiny wine cups, sipping it delicately between bites of chicken.
Clearly, they were indulging in a Hua Xia meal of fast food.
"Grandfather, cola is best enjoyed cold and gulped down in large amounts," Lin Qian said, unable to hide his confusion as he watched their peculiar way of drinking the soda.
However, Yun Fan waved dismissively at his grandson, replying, "Qian'er, you don't understand. This drink is a delicacy, meant to be savored slowly."
"..."
Not sure what to make of his grandfather's unique preferences, Lin Qian instead turned the conversation to a more serious matter. "The Jiang family has made their move. They've allied with the Jinhua Merchant Guild and six other forces, surrounding the Central Region's borders and preparing to attack."
Hearing this, Yun Fan paused mid-bite. After a moment, he said, "Qian'er, is there a specific reason you came to tell me this personally? You usually handle these matters yourself."
"The Yuanling Merchant Guild is involved, and so is the Holy Spirit Sect," Lin Qian added.
Upon hearing these names, Yun Fan's expression stiffened. Even the three elders sitting with him showed signs of discomfort.
The Yuanling Merchant Guild had deep ties to Yun Fan, though fortunately, his old friend Ling Tian had already left the guild and joined the Hua Xia Empire. Ling Tian now managed commercial affairs for the empire and oversaw the former Yun Clan territory in the Central Region.
However, the fact that the Yuanling Merchant Guild was participating in this coalition was troubling.
Lin Qian's mention of the Holy Spirit Sect only added to the weight of the situation. The Holy Spirit Sect was Yun Fan's former sect, where he and the three elders had trained in the past.
Hence, Lin Qian needed to ask his grandfather if any leniency should be shown toward the Holy Spirit Sect.
Yun Fan remained silent, exchanging glances with the three elders. Fang Shuiwen, one of the elders, spoke up decisively. "Master, they have betrayed us first. There's no need for mercy."
Yun Fan nodded in agreement, then turned to Lin Qian. "Qian'er, you are the ruler of the Hua Xia Empire now, and you are also my beloved grandson. I know how much heart and soul you've put into building this empire. Anyone who dares to covet the fruits of your labor—kill them!"
"Your grandfather and the three of us will also join you on the battlefield."
Hearing his grandfather's words, Lin Qian fell silent, deeply touched by his resolve.
"Grandfather, about the matter of going to the battlefield..." Lin Qian hesitated to continue, but Yun Fan quickly waved it off.
"Your grandfather has fought in countless battles. Don't underestimate me. If you're worried, just assign more men to accompany me," Yun Fan said with a smile, turning to the three elders. "Having a powerful grandson is truly wonderful. Needing a few dozen Transcendent Realm experts to command? No problem at all!"
Lin Qian couldn't help but laugh at his grandfather's words, shaking his head before his expression turned firm. "If they're coming, then let's fight!"
Yun Fan, meeting his grandson's determined gaze, nodded solemnly. "Yes. Let's fight!"