"Fourth Elder isn't the type to be so kind!" Lu Fan sneered, "He specifically came to see me, and I don't quite believe it!"
"Will two pounds of Erguotou be enough?"
The Fourth Elder smiled faintly, "I heard you got drunk with the Dragon Group a few days ago, and today Lu Fan will accompany me too!"
"If we're going to drink, only Osmanthus Wine!"
Lu Fan took out a few bottles, "If Elder doesn't mind, please try the taste!"
The Fourth Elder smiled faintly and sat down directly, sniffing the Osmanthus Wine. "I truly didn't expect you, kid, to have such good wine. I've been in charge of Long Country for many years, but I've never tasted anything like it!"
"This isn't mine, it was brought by the Dragon Group!" Lu Fan shrugged, "It seems Elder isn't close enough to the people, otherwise, why wouldn't they show you respect!"
The Fourth Elder's face turned dark, "You're quite good at mocking people. You brought honor to Long Country by going to Black Bear Country this time!"
"It's good enough that I didn't disgrace Long Country!" Lu Fan chuckled, "But speaking of which, Elder, you didn't come here tonight just for a drink, did you!"
"Of course not!" The Fourth Elder chuckled, "The celebration banquet is about to begin, and you, kid, cannot leave Long Capital. I came here tonight specifically to remind you!"
"Whether I attend this celebration banquet or not, it's not important!" Lu Fan smiled, "The truly deserving are the generals and those who fought bravely. What I did was my duty!"
"You speak so eloquently, kid, I don't understand!" The Fourth Elder glared, "To tell you the truth! I came here tonight, besides the celebration banquet, it's about the matter of Cang Qiong Country!"
"Cang Qiong Country is the strongest, but they are not fools. As long as Long Country is sufficiently powerful, they would not dare to act rashly!" Lu Fan said solemnly, "If Elder doesn't believe me, you can try it. If Cang Qiong Country was prepared days ago, the battlefield beyond the domain would likely be in a state of intense battle!"
"You mean, Cang Qiong won't attack Long Country?" The Fourth Elder narrowed his eyes, his expression becoming even more solemn.
"According to normal deductions, Cang Qiong Country definitely would not dare to act rashly. To destroy Long Country, Cang Qiong Country would have to pay a great price. Otherwise, they wouldn't have allied with other countries to attack Long Country!" Lu Fan stated frankly.
"I quite agree with your analysis!" The Fourth Elder nodded, "But this matter must be guarded against. If Cang Qiong Country acts recklessly, our Long Country will surely be in peril!"
"Elder, rest assured, as long as Long Country is united, we can surely resist foreign enemies!"
Lu Fan said, "If an entire nation loses its confidence, it will only be bullied in the future. Only by displaying a strong front can one earn respect from others, and it's the same for nations!"
"I didn't expect you, at such a young age, to have such insight!" The Fourth Elder nodded with satisfaction, "Truly a favored son of heaven, the chosen one of Long Country!"
"Actually, I've always been puzzled!" Lu Fan looked at the Fourth Elder, "Are the three Elders of Long Country truly nonexistent, 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 Elder, then you don't need to say it!"
Lu Fan reminded again, "I'm just a bit 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 circumstances. However, the three Elders had previously stated that we cannot enter their place of seclusion, so for over 10 years, I have not dared to step foot there!"
"Over 10 years?" Lu Fan's expression changed slightly, "If it were a normal person, they probably..."
"The three Elders reached the Half-step War Emperor realm in their early years. If they break through to the War Emperor level, they would be different from ordinary people!" The Fourth Elder stated, "Therefore, I have always believed that the three Elders are still in this world, which is why I dare not easily enter the forbidden area!"
"Fourth Elder is quite kind." Lu Fan chuckled wryly, "If it were me, I would have rushed in long ago. How could I possibly stay in seclusion in the forbidden area for over 10 years? Perhaps by investigating, I could know if the three Elders are still alive!"
"Absolutely not!" The Fourth Elder waved his hand, "This is Long Country's last trump card, and it's also the reason why other countries are wary of Long Country. If news spreads that the three Elders have passed away, our Long Country will surely face great disaster!"
The Fourth Elder was well aware that Long Country didn't dispatch its top experts, only sending Yan Cangtian was an attempt to test Long Country's bottom line. Once they learned that Long Country had no final trump card, they would likely be destroyed in an instant.
"So that's the case!" Lu Fan frowned slightly, "In that case, isn't Long Country in a precarious position? Without the three Elders as a deterrent, other countries will surely become restless!"
"This is why I have never entered the forbidden area for over 10 years!" The Fourth Elder stated, "Even when questioned by other elders!"
"Fourth Elder is quite thoughtful!" Lu Fan raised the Osmanthus Wine in his hand and drank it all in one go.
"Actually, I'm also very panicked, especially when the three major alliances broke through Long Country's strongholds. If Long Country's last trump card turns into nothingness, the entire Long Country will cease to exist!" The Fourth Elder's voice was hoarse, "If that truly happens, how can I face the martyrs of Long Country!"
Lu Fan sat beside him, listening carefully. He was also filled with emotion. Without strong individuals guarding a nation, it would eventually be targeted by others. It was a pity that if they were normal people, after over 10 years in seclusion, they had never appeared even once. They had likely already passed away.
"Elder, you can't deceive yourself!" Lu Fan spoke again, "Others may not know about this matter, but as the pillar of Long Country, if even you don't know, how will Long Country have any confidence in the future!"
"This..." The Fourth Elder hesitated, "After the battle beyond the domain ended, I intended to enter Long Country's forbidden area to see if the three Elders were still alive, but I never had the courage!"
"If Elder trusts me, I can accompany you!" Lu Fan smiled.
He was also quite curious about the three Elders of Long 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 earlier, after all, Long Country could not act rashly without absolute certainty.
"You are now the guardian god of Long 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 fate of Long Country, and it is of great importance!"
"Elder, don't worry, I know the seriousness of the matter!" Lu Fan nodded solemnly, "The battle beyond the domain has been turbulent recently. If the three Elders have passed away, Long Country will likely undergo a great transformation!"
"May they still be alive!" The Fourth Elder's expression was grave.