After midnight

"Sorry, I have something else to do, so I'll leave first." Yin broke the strange silence in the ward and wanted to leave first, but he didn't expect that as soon as he said this, everyone would say they were leaving.

So, except for Lin Xuanfeng and Ah Jiu, the five of them stepped onto the ladder together. The ladder went down to the sixth floor, and they walked through the garden to the downstairs, all the way to the hospital entrance, and no one spoke.

"Then we'll go first." An Yan said to Lin Nuan.

"it is good."

"Let's go too." Lin Nuan and Lu Li stood at the hospital entrance and watched the three of them go away, then left in the opposite direction. Lin Nuan took Lu Li's hand, "Lu Li, can you walk with me for a while?"

“Okay, don’t be too sad about your uncle’s matter.” Lu Li held Lin Nuan tightly. They passed by the neat rows of hanging windows beside the hospital and continued to move forward. They came to another road. There was a row of poplar trees standing upright on each side of the street.

"No, it happened so many years ago. But I didn't expect that my father did so many things in a place where I couldn't see. I miss him a little bit."

"Yes, my father is very capable. Lin Nuan, you will definitely become an outstanding person like your father in the future. Not only me, I promise that the entire Lin and Lu companies will be your strongest backing."

"Yeah." Lin Nuan smiled at Lu Li, "And after this period of time, I have let go of a lot. Lu Li, did you see that? Now it is Yin and Su Ziling who are walking beside An Yan. I have been thinking recently that people will always grow up and will always experience separation. The past may not be over, but the future will definitely come. I was too ignorant in the past and didn't know what my father had taken on, but I will learn to shoulder my own responsibilities in the future."

"I will be with you, Ah Nuan. I will be by your side in the future." Lu Li understood that Lin Nuan was just reminiscing about the past, the past between her, An Yan, and Lin Xuanfeng. However, he would accompany her into the future.

“Okay, then you mustn’t regret it.” Lin Nuan suddenly stopped and looked at him.

"No." Lu Li leaned over to hug her and whispered in her ear.

The two hugged for a while and continued to walk forward. Lu Li said, "A Nuan, I plan to go back to Jiudu. This matter involves too many people, I must report to my father, Xindu will be left to you for the time being."

"Okay." Before the storm comes, they must muster up their courage and join forces to resist.

Everyone left at once, leaving the terribly quiet ward with only the silent Lin Xuanfeng and the bewildered Ah Jiu. After they left, Lin Xuanfeng found a place to sit down, crossed his legs, and put his hands together, maintaining this position for a long time without changing.

"Master, aren't you...going to go find Grandpa Fang?"

"Ah? Um..." Lin Xuanfeng looked up at him, then walked to the bed and sat down sideways.

Lin Xuanfeng cleared his throat, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have agreed to let Lin Nuan bring this conversation here. Adults sometimes get entangled in malicious and unknown emotions and fail to consider everyone's feelings. So, Jiu, you don't have to panic, everything will be fine."

After hearing this, Ah Jiu immediately threw himself into Lin Xuanfeng's arms and hugged him tightly. He was not panicked or afraid, but he still acquiesced to Lin Xuanfeng's statement and said solemnly, "Master, you are not allowed to die!"

"What are you thinking, you little brat? I'm not going to die."

"But... Brother An Yan's master died. No matter what, Master, you have to promise me that you won't die, Brother An Yan won't die, and no one will die!"

"Okay, okay, we won't die." Lin Xuanfeng suddenly became gentle. This little kid, at first he just wanted to be a strict master, but he never thought that he would become an inseparable relative.

"Master, why don't you go find Grandpa Fang?" After a while, Ajiu asked embarrassedly.

"My mind is too confused now, I can't go yet. Ah Jiu, listen, people must not make decisions when their minds are confused, and they must not convey their confused thoughts to others."

"I understand, Master!"

"It's almost noon. Are you hungry? I'll go get you some food."

After Lin Xuanfeng left, Ajiu lay back in bed. The sky outside was clear.

Lin Xuanfeng came back very quickly. While eating his portion, Ah Jiu asked his master, "Master, what do you think Grandpa Fang would do if he knew about this?"

"I don't know either. This matter is too absurd and crazy. I don't think anyone knows what to do."

"But it will be too late when it succeeds."

"Yes, everyone knows it, but we can't rush into this matter." Lin Xuanfeng roughly picked up the food and put down his chopsticks.

"Then we have won the Shuangbei battle, right? What will Song Yu do next?"

"Ajiu, are you interested in these things?" Lin Xuanfeng asked him while cleaning up the garbage.

"Yeah, very interested."

"Well... tell me what you think." Lin Xuanfeng asked seriously.

"I don't know either, but based on the existing facts, for example, Song Hongtian and Zhao Yunqi are both dead, Song Yu also lost the Shuangbei battle, and there is no unity within their family, so..."

"so?"

"So I think Song Yu can only rely on himself. I have experienced it, and I know that when a person has no one to rely on, he can only make himself stronger. Even if some things are very difficult and unrealistic."

"Do you think Song Yu will continue to research the ability to replicate water?"

"I'm not sure, but it's very possible. But Master, this is just my intuition."

"No, Jiu, your idea is very good. You just said that you have experienced a time when you were helpless, right?"

"Yes." Jiu said frankly, "I actually have a younger brother named Xiaoqi, but he passed away not long ago, and the village chief grandfather also passed away. I am left with no relatives. I left there and wanted to find Brother Anyan, so a lot of things happened on the way to find Brother Anyan. I didn't think I could survive, but fortunately Brother Yin sent people to find me. Master, if it weren't for Brother Anyan and Brother Yin, I wouldn't be here."

After hearing this, Lin Xuanfeng stretched out his hand to rub Ajiu's head. He was suddenly extremely glad that he did not ask about Ajiu's past.

"Master, I have fought with Song Yu before. His desire to survive is even stronger than mine. And..." As if thinking of the scene when they fought, Jiu said fearfully, "He is really a lunatic."

Lin Xuanfeng was stunned. He suddenly realized that among them, only Ah Jiu and Song Yu had fought each other completely. Ah Jiu's ideas were really very meaningful for reference. After all, Lin Xuanfeng had mostly considered how Song Yu would deploy his forces next, rather than cultivating his forces.

"Ajiu, you should have a good rest. I'm going out for a while." Lin Xuanfeng said, and he left the hospital to see Fang Hao.

In the Xindu Building, Lin Xuanfeng reported all the information to Fang Hao, and each piece of news was more shocking than the last.

"I heard about the North Central North City incident from Zhou Chen yesterday. I also heard a little about Zhao Yunqi's death, but I didn't expect that there was such a reason behind it." After a pause, Fang Hao continued, "This matter is not that simple. Once Song Yu succeeds in this matter, the world will really be in chaos. By then, it will not only be Song Yu, but also many ambitious and powerful people who want to come and get a piece of the pie. By then, what's the point of copying water abilities? Wouldn't all abilities be copyable?!"

"Yeah, Uncle Fang, I thought..."

"You still think I would be interested in these things? Xuanfeng, I have been in this position for too long and have seen too many people and things that ended miserably. Over the years, I have done many things, some of which I can't even tell right from wrong. But, Lin Xuanfeng, there is only one thing I won't do, and that is to go against destiny!"

"Uncle Fang..."

Fang Hao waved his hand to stop him, "But I can't hide it. I have to report this matter to my superiors. Judging from the current situation, your speculation is likely to come true. Zhao Yunqi's death has brought many chain consequences. According to the latest intelligence, Shangguan Can fled with Zhao Yunshuang, and Song Xin also followed Zhang Dong and left Jiudu. Only Song Yu is left in the Song family."

"Isn't there Song Hongda?"

"Song Hongda will not help Song Yu. I know the grudge between them very well. Song Yu has lost his right-hand man and left-hand man one after another. In addition to recruiting Song Nan and squeezing the elders of the Song family, the most likely thing he will do is to gamble everything on it."

"But copying water abilities is too incredible. What if it's impossible to succeed?"

"This is the best possible scenario, but who knows, success and failure will lead to two completely different outcomes."

"Uncle Fang, what do you think we should do now?"

"Apart from keeping a close eye on Song Yu and being prepared, we don't have any other effective measures. Lin Xuanfeng, you must always remember that the mission of the revolutionary army is to continue to occupy the land and force Jiudu."

"I see."

"Xuanfeng," Fang Hao looked at him meaningfully and said, "The new king is coming back."

"Song Xinjun? That's great, he is finally coming back." Lin Xuanfeng was excited when he heard the name.

"Yes, it just happened to be the annual Jiuxin Conference, and I planned to take him to Jiudu to participate. As for the matter of copying water ability, no matter what the superiors ask you to do privately later, you must tell me first. It's true that they support us financially, but we are truly loyal to ourselves and to the advanced ideas of the Revolutionary Army!"

"I understand, Uncle Fang."

"Then you should have a good rest these few days and spend more time with the child. I will notify you if there is a new mission."

"By the way, Uncle Fang, I have something I want to talk to you about Jiu."

"What to talk about?"

"I want him to join the Revolutionary Army."

"Oh? He's still young, so he doesn't meet the requirements for joining the Revolutionary Army."

"Yes, but he is very talented and likes politics and strategy. He listened to my story about you and liked you very much. Jiu is very well behaved. You will definitely like him if you meet him."

"Really? As long as he's better behaved than you were when you were a kid."

Lin Xuanfeng laughed, "Uncle Fang, I'm serious."

Seeing Lin Xuanfeng getting serious, Fang Hao couldn't help but emphasize his tone. "Lin Xuanfeng, have you really thought it through? You know how difficult this road is. Are you willing to let him take risks everywhere? Besides, if Ah Jiu really has the brains you say, he should be able to plan his life well."

"I've thought about it, Uncle Fang. I won't promise Ah Jiu anything that I can't do, so I'm here to ask for your consent first. If you agree, I'll naturally find a suitable time to tell him. I don't need your consent now. Ah Jiu is indeed not old enough, and his body is not fully recovered yet."

"If he has this intention, he is welcome to join in another half a year." Fang Hao thought for a while and said in a deep voice.

"Thank you, Uncle Fang. I'll leave first. Lin Xuanfeng will obey your orders at any time."

Fang Hao nodded slightly, and Lin Xuanfeng closed the door and left. He did not rush back to the hospital, but came to find An Yan. The doorbell rang for a while before someone opened the door. After entering the house, Lin Xuanfeng glanced at the sofa in the living room and sat down casually. "Is Su Ziling not at home?"

"He went out, saying he was looking for a friend."

"Does he have any friends in Xindu?"

"I don't know either, Brother, what would you like to drink?"

"Stop busying yourself, I'm not thirsty. An Yan, I came to you because I want to have a good chat with you. It seems like we haven't sat together and talked for a long time." Lin Xuanfeng felt a little emotional.

"Senior Brother, what do you want to say?" An Yan also sat down and stuffed the pillow into his arms.

"…I'm sorry, I know nothing about your past, and I really don't deserve to be called Senior Brother. To be honest, it was me who forced you to call me that back then, even though my master had passed away before that."

"Yes, it was really annoying when you pestered me to fight back then." An Yan said gently with a smile.

"What happened in the morning is over," he said then.

"...Hmm." Lin Xuanfeng made a sound from his throat. How could it be so easy to get over it without the past? Lin Xuanfeng still couldn't imagine this matter. How much suffering did his junior brother suffer to become the strongest at such a young age, but he couldn't say it out loud.

An Yan smiled awkwardly; he was not used to this.

"I came to see you for one more thing." Lin Xuanfeng thought for a moment and said, "I think I need to tell you that Fang Hao agreed to Jiu joining the revolutionary army."

"Is this what Ah Jiu meant?" An Yan asked in surprise.

"No, I made the decision on my own. I haven't asked him yet."

"Ajiu is willing."

"Really? Actually, I think so too."

"He is willing. But Brother, since you have led Jiu down this path, don't abandon him halfway."

"How is that possible? I will definitely protect him." Lin Xuanfeng promised happily and solemnly, as if Ajiu would officially join the revolutionary army in the next second.

"That's good. I've wanted to say this for a long time. You are no longer alone now, so don't try too hard to complete the mission." An Yan leaned to one side and said lazily.

"I'm used to it. I want to make sure that nothing goes wrong."

"By the way, Senior Brother, you just went to see Fang Hao, right?"

"Yes, the general direction of the revolutionary army is probably still to fight for land."

"Hmm... Sand City?" An Yan said so casually that Lin Xuanfeng didn't react for a moment. Lin Xuanfeng was stunned for a while and then said, "Fang Hao didn't tell me, An Yan, why did you judge it to be Sand City?"

An Yan gathered the pillows and sank into the sofa. "Brother, are you wondering why it is Sand City? Sand City can almost be considered as belonging to Xindu's sphere of influence because of its frequent trade with Xindu."

"Well, it's not worth it for Fang Hao to take over Sand City with great fanfare."

"No need to make a big fuss, just let you go. Fang Hao's capture of Sand City is not about how much more land he occupies, nor about whether he can achieve a strategic encirclement of Jiuxi City, but about taking over Sand City, which will declare special political significance."

"Political significance?"

"Yes, Sand City is a special city, just like the New Capital before. However, the political power supported by the new economy in Sand City is still relatively weak. As long as the other part is strangled and Sand City surrenders voluntarily, the political situation in New Capital will improve greatly. After all, no matter how nice the words were said before, there were still conflicts and unrest in the north. If we don't build goodwill in the name of the people, we can't consolidate people's hearts."

"You mean to say that compared to the Revolutionary Army's three consecutive victories in the city, the Sand City's abandonment of the dark and joining the light will truly shake the forces outside the three major families?"

"Yes, Sand City's decision to turn from darkness to light can truly demonstrate the political influence of Xindu. With supporters, Xindu will no longer be just a 'city'."

"I see."

"So, brother, you must be prepared for a tough battle."

Lin Xuanfeng's face was solemn. After An Yan said this, it was impossible for him not to understand Fang Hao's plan. If this was true, then he was most likely the only person lurking in Sand City to eliminate dissidents.

"So, Brother, you must remember that you are no longer alone. I am saying all this for Jiu."

"I know what you mean. I won't say anything nonsense. Well, I have to go back to the hospital."

"I send you."

An Yan saw Lin Xuanfeng out, and they exchanged a few more pleasantries while standing outside the small garden. Lin Xuanfeng asked him, "Is the place you live in Yin's house now? It's pretty good."

"Well, I want to renovate this garden after a while, but I haven't asked Yin's opinion yet."

"Turn it over. It's a pity that they are just wild flowers and weeds now."

"How does Yin treat you? I know that with the relationship with Su Ziling, he won't be too wary of you. But after all, there are many things involved, and it's enough to say that he is sincere and sincere."

"Although we don't have much contact in daily life, Yin is very reliable." An Yan said after thinking for a while.

"That's good. No need to see me off. We'll meet again next time." Lin Xuanfeng hugged An Yan for a moment and then turned and left.

After watching Lin Xuanfeng walk around the corner and disappear, An Yan turned around and opened the door. Lin Xuanfeng went to the hospital to accompany Ajiu, and in a while, he would also pick up Xiaosu from school.