“Fourth Elder isn't the type to be so kind!” Lu Fan rolled his eyes. “He specifically came to see me, I don't really believe it!”
“Is two jin of Erguotou enough?”
The Fourth Elder smiled faintly. “I heard you got completely drunk with the Dragon Group a few days ago. Today, Lu Fan, you'll accompany me!”
“If we're going to drink, then only Osmanthus Brew!”
Lu Fan took out several bottles. “Fourth Elder, if you don't mind, please try this flavor!”
The Fourth Elder smiled faintly and sat down directly, sniffing the Osmanthus Brew. “I truly didn't expect you, kid, to have such good wine. I’ve managed the Dragon Country for many years, and I’ve never had anything like it!”
“This isn't mine, it's from the Dragon Group!” Lu Fan shrugged. “It seems the elders aren't close enough to the people, otherwise, why wouldn't they show you filial piety!”
The Fourth Elder’s face darkened. “You, kid, are quite good at making digs. You brought honor to the Dragon Country this time when you went to Black Bear Country!”
“It’s good enough that I didn’t disgrace the Dragon Country!” Lu Fan chuckled. “But speaking of which, Fourth Elder, you didn't just come here tonight to drink, did you?”
“Of course not!” The Fourth Elder chuckled. “The celebration banquet is coming up soon, and you, kid, cannot leave the Dragon Capital. I came here tonight specifically to remind you!”
“Whether I attend this celebration banquet or not isn't really important,” Lu Fan said with a smile. “The truly meritorious are those generals and those who fought in blood. What I did was only what I should have done!”
“You, kid, speak so eloquently, I can’t understand you!” The Fourth Elder rolled his eyes. “To tell you the truth! I came here tonight, besides the matter of the celebration banquet, it's about the Sky Country!”
“The Sky Country is the strongest, but they aren't fools. As long as the Dragon Country is sufficiently powerful, they won't dare to act rashly!” Lu Fan said solemnly. “If the Elder doesn't believe me, he can try. If the Sky Country was prepared in these past few days, the battlefield beyond the domain would likely be in an uproar!”
“You mean to say, the Sky Country won't attack the Dragon Country?” The Fourth Elder narrowed his eyes, his expression becoming more solemn.
“According to normal speculation, the Sky Country definitely won't dare to act rashly. To destroy the Dragon Country, the Sky Country would have to pay a great price, otherwise, they wouldn't have joined forces with other countries to attack the Dragon Country!” Lu Fan said frankly.
“I quite agree with your analysis!” The Fourth Elder nodded. “But we must guard against this. If the Sky Country acts recklessly, our Dragon Country will surely be in peril!”
“Please rest assured, Elder. As long as the Dragon Country is united, we will be able to resist foreign enemies!”
Lu Fan said, “If an entire nation loses its confidence, it will only be bullied by others in the future. Only by showing a strong front can one gain the respect of others, and it's the same for countries!”
“I didn't expect you to have such insight at such a young age!” The Fourth Elder nodded with satisfaction. “As expected, you are a favored son of heaven, the chosen one of the Dragon Country!”
“Actually, I've always been curious!” Lu Fan looked at the Fourth Elder. “Are the three elders of the Dragon Country truly non-existent, or are they in seclusion?”
The Fourth Elder trembled slightly. He hadn't expected Lu Fan to ask such a question, and he didn't know how to answer.
“If it’s inconvenient for the Elder, you don’t have to say it!”
Lu Fan reminded him again, “I’m just a little curious!”
“Actually… even I don’t know!”
The Fourth Elder gave a wry smile. “The three elders have been in seclusion for many years, and even I don’t know their specific situation. However, the three elders had long said that we cannot enter their place of seclusion, so in these past ten years, I haven’t dared to trespass!”
“Ten years?” Lu Fan’s expression changed slightly. “If it were a normal person, perhaps…”
“The three elders reached the Half-step Battle Emperor realm in their early years. If they break through to the Battle Emperor level, they will be different from ordinary people,” the Fourth Elder said frankly. “So I’ve always believed that the three elders are still alive in this world. This is also why I don’t dare to enter the forbidden area lightly!”
“The Fourth Elder is indeed kind,” Lu Fan said with a wry smile. “If it were me, I would have probably broken in long ago. How could I possibly stay in seclusion in the forbidden area for over ten years? If I went to investigate, perhaps I would know whether the three elders are still there!”
“Absolutely not!” The Fourth Elder waved his hand. “This is the Dragon Country’s last trump card, and it's also the reason why other countries are wary of the Dragon Country. If news spreads that the three elders have passed away, our Dragon Country will surely face great disaster!”
The Fourth Elder was well aware that the reason the Dragon Country did not dispatch top-tier experts and only sent Yan Cangtian was to test the Dragon Country's bottom line. Once they learned that the Dragon Country had no final trump card, they would likely be destroyed in an instant.
“So that’s the reason!” Lu Fan frowned slightly. “In this case, isn't the Dragon Country in a precarious position? Without the deterrence of the three elders, other countries will surely be restless!” Su Dan Novel Network
“This is also why I have never entered the forbidden area for over ten years,” the Fourth Elder said frankly. “Even when other elders questioned me!”
“The Fourth Elder is indeed thoughtful!” Lu Fan raised the Osmanthus Brew in his hand and drank it in one gulp.
“Actually, I’m also very panicked, especially when the three major alliances broke through the Dragon Country’s strongholds. If the Dragon Country’s last trump card turned into nothingness, the entire Dragon Country would cease to exist!” The Fourth Elder’s voice was hoarse. “If that were the case, how could I face the martyrs of the Dragon Country!”
Lu Fan sat aside, listening carefully. He was also filled with mixed emotions. A country without powerful guardians would eventually be targeted by others. It was a pity that if they were normal people, after ten years of seclusion, they hadn't appeared even once, and had likely already passed away.
“Elder, you can’t deceive yourself!” Lu Fan said again. “Others may not know about this, but as the pillar of the Dragon Country, if even you don’t know, how can the Dragon Country have any confidence in the future!”
“This…” The Fourth Elder hesitated. “After the battlefield beyond the domain ended, I originally intended to enter the Dragon Country’s forbidden area to see if the three elders were still alive, but I never had the courage!”
“If the Elder trusts me, I can accompany you on this journey!” Lu Fan said with a smile.
He was also quite curious about the three elders of the Dragon Country. At least in Lu Fan's opinion, things didn't seem that simple.
If the three elders had passed away, they could make plans early. After all, without absolute certainty, the Dragon Country could not act rashly.
“You are now the guardian god of the Dragon Country. Since you have decided, I will take you there,” the Fourth Elder said solemnly. “But no matter the outcome, you must not tell anyone else. This is the destiny of the Dragon Country and involves great significance!”
“Elder, please rest assured, I know the seriousness of the matter!” Lu Fan nodded solemnly. “The battlefield beyond the domain has been turbulent recently. If the three elders have passed away, the Dragon Country will likely undergo a great change!”
“Let’s hope they are still alive!” The Fourth Elder’s expression was grave.