When the Lan Yuan Empire learned of the devastating defeat at the border, panic spread. The ministers were divided into two factions. One advocated uniting with other empires to fight the Dragon Clan to the end. The other believed in submitting to the Dragon Clan, agreeing to all their demands to avoid a large-scale war.
The Dragon Clan's power was undeniable. The Lan Yuan Empire alone couldn't possibly contend with them.
Just as the king was agonizing over this dilemma, the space within the main hall rippled. A holy mage in magic robes appeared. "The Dragon Clan has retreated. They haven't launched an attack on the Lan Yuan Empire."
The ministers and the king were stunned.
Retreated?
What was going on?
Given the Dragon Clan's nature, why would they retreat?
Even the holy mage was puzzled.
With the Dragon Clan's vengeful nature, they would definitely make the Lan Yuan Empire pay a heavy price, a price so steep it would require immense resources to resolve the matter.
"Could it be that that lord intervened?" the king wondered aloud.
"Who?"
"The lord who once slew three Golden Holy Dragons in Iron Smelt City."
Upon hearing this, everyone suddenly understood. It seemed that only that mysterious and powerful figure could force the Dragon Clan to retreat.
The king was in high spirits. Their Lan Yuan Empire also had a mysterious and powerful protector. When faced with threats to the empire's foundation, this great figure would step in to help.
It felt good to be protected.
He desperately wanted to know who this lord was. If he could meet him, he would be eternally grateful, even enshrining him as an ancestor.
…
In the village…
"Dad, what kind of meat was that the other day? It was so awful, all spicy and fiery." Ke Lan asked.
Lin Fan smiled. "It was a small beast I encountered while out. I didn't expect it to be so bad. I'll be more careful next time."
He made a mental note that fire dragon meat wasn't tasty. He hadn't expected that within the same species, there would be such a difference in meat quality. They were raised in the same environment, so why was there such a huge disparity? It was very strange.
"It's okay. I love anything Dad brings back. It's just that it was very different from the meat we usually eat." Ke Lan loved to eat meat, but strangely, she never gained weight.
Since Lin Fan started bringing back meat, the villagers had generally gained about twenty pounds. Even the thin village chief had become much more robust.
If the fire dragons knew about this, they would surely cry tears of rage.
Beasts! They were inhuman! Killing them was one thing, but eating them and then complaining about the taste… they had never encountered such shameless creatures.
…
Time flew by.
Six years later!
Ke Lan had become a charming sixteen-year-old girl. With long purple hair and a tall figure, she exuded the vibrancy of youth.
Time really did fly. Lin Fan remembered when he first took Ke Lan in; she was just a little girl. In the blink of an eye, so many years had passed.
"Do I really have to go away to school?"
Ke Lan was reluctant to leave. Here, she had her closest family and the villagers who treated her so well.
"Yes. You've grown up. Staying in the village will prevent you from reaching your full potential. Going out will allow you to see a wider world," Lin Fan said as he packed her things.
His efforts over the years had truly been successful. He felt he had a strong talent for raising children. When he and Mu Qing had children in the future, he was confident he would be a qualified father.
"But I don't want to leave everyone, and I don't want to leave you, Dad."
Ke Lan was very attached. She knew that once her father made a decision, it wouldn't change.
Lin Fan smiled. "It's not like you won't ever come back. You can visit whenever you miss us, and I'll visit you often too."
Outside, the carriage was ready.
The villagers, knowing Ke Lan was leaving, came to see her off. This child had been sensible since she was young. They were reluctant for her to leave for school, but they knew Ke Lan wasn't like the other village children. She deserved a future filled with opportunities.
The villagers understood this was Lin Fan's intention. After all, both Lin Fan and they were ordinary villagers. Their lives revolved around the land. What kind of future could they have if they stayed here forever?
At the village entrance, the village chief, still alive and well, said, "Lin Fan, Ke Lan, be careful on your journey. If you encounter danger, don't hesitate. Money isn't important; your lives are."
"Village Chief, they haven't even left yet. Can't you say something positive?" one villager quipped.
The village chief retorted, "I'm just saying, just in case."
The villagers chuckled. "Right, right, whatever you say, Village Chief." The only thing that puzzled them was how the village chief, who had seemed close to death back then, had become more and more energetic over the years. It was very strange.
"Haha…" Lin Fan laughed. The kind villagers meant well and had taken good care of them. "Village Chief, I understand. Don't worry."
Ke Lan chatted with the villagers.
The village chief came to Lin Fan's side and took out a money pouch, whispering, "I know you've saved a lot of money over the years. You're the richest man in our village. But sending Ke Lan to school will be expensive. We've watched her grow up. This is money from me and the villagers. You'll need it in the Royal Capital."
He stuffed the money pouch into Lin Fan's hand.
"Village Chief, I have money," Lin Fan said.
The village chief glared. "Are you saying you don't respect me as the village chief?"
"No."
What else could he say? He accepted the money pouch, thanking the village chief and the villagers for their kindness. They were truly good people. The entire village was filled with kind souls. This was the reason he was reluctant to leave.
Ke Lan accounted for 99% of the reason, and the remaining 1% was them.
Lin Fan held the reins and waved. "Goodbye, everyone."
"Have a safe journey! Come back soon!" the villagers called, waving as they watched the carriage disappear down the road.
"Village Chief, you gave him all the money we collected, right?"
"Yes."
"You didn't keep any?"
"What? What kind of person do you think I am? Who said that? Step forward and I'll teach you a lesson!"
The carriage traveled along the country road, surrounded by beautiful pastoral scenery. Far from the hustle and bustle of the city, it was a truly pleasant experience. This was Ke Lan's first time leaving her hometown, and she felt a mix of emotions.
Ke Lan looked at her father's back. He seemed to have aged. It pained her heart. Although she wasn't his biological daughter, he had always been good to her, always giving her the best. Now, he was sending her to study at the best academy in the Royal Capital, and the high tuition fees must be a heavy burden.
She wanted to say… I don't want to go to school. I don't want you to work so hard.
But she knew that if she said that, her father would be heartbroken.
Lin Fan noticed Ke Lan staring at him. "What's wrong?"
Ke Lan said, "I heard that the tuition at the Royal Capital Academy is very expensive. Our family isn't well-off, I…"
Before Ke Lan could finish, Lin Fan smiled. "It's okay. I've saved some money over the years, and the villagers also contributed. Open that box; your tuition is inside."
Ke Lan looked at the wooden box beside her. She hadn't noticed it before. She opened it.
Seeing the glittering gold coins inside, Ke Lan's eyes widened, and tears streamed down her face. Images flashed through her mind: her father toiling in the fields from dawn till dusk, working hard at the forge, saving every penny, sacrificing his own needs to provide for her. He had saved every copper coin… to prepare for her education in the Royal Capital.
"Those pieces of jewelry are gifts I've prepared for you. Every year for your birthday, I would prepare something in advance. You were too young for them then, but now that you've grown up, they should suit you," Lin Fan said.
Looking at the jewelry in the box and hearing her father's words, the tears she had just managed to stop flowed again.
"Dad!"
Ke Lan threw herself onto Lin Fan's back, her cheek pressed against him. She whispered, "Thank you. I won't disappoint you."
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing," Ke Lan shook her head, not voicing her thoughts. If her teacher asked her to write an essay about her family right now, she already had a title in mind: My Great Father.
If Lin Fan knew what Ke Lan was thinking, he would surely comfort her. Don't think too much. It's not as difficult as you imagine. These gold coins are from selling an ordinary weapon I made a long time ago.
Of course, he had been trying to save money for her over the years, but business hadn't been good, so he hadn't saved much. However, the money from selling that one weapon was more than enough.
Half a month later, the leisurely carriage finally arrived at the Royal Capital of the Lan Yuan Empire. The journey had been safe, without any incidents.
As they prepared to enter the city, the guards at the gate stopped them. "Get down. Carriages from outside are not allowed within the city walls. You need to park over there."
This was the Royal Capital, densely populated. Allowing carriages to enter freely would easily cause traffic congestion. Furthermore, having carriages park outside, under supervised care and for a fee, was one of the sources of revenue for the Royal Capital.
"So this is the Royal Capital. It's truly magnificent."
Ke Lan had never left the village before. Seeing such majestic architecture, she was amazed. It was much more lively than the village, bustling with people, and even had many different races: elves, beastmen, dwarves!
After paying the fee and parking the carriage, Lin Fan said, "Let's go into the city. We'll grab something to eat and find a place to stay."
"Okay!"
Having lived in Yanhai City for so long, Lin Fan wasn't overly impressed by the Royal Capital. The architectural style was quite nice and visually appealing, but as a man of the modern world, he had seen it all.
This was the Royal Capital of the Lan Yuan Empire, home to many powerful and influential people. Fortunately, the Lan Yuan Empire had strong control over the nobility, preventing them from arbitrarily oppressing ordinary citizens.
Being in the Royal Capital for the first time, Ke Lan was curious about everything. Lin Fan stayed by her side, accompanying her as she looked around, trying the local snacks. Everything was harmonious and heartwarming. Thinking about Ke Lan studying in the Royal Capital, he was truly reluctant.
But everyone had to grow up. Even if he was reluctant, he had to let Ke Lan grow independently. He couldn't accompany her forever. She would have to walk her own path in the future.