Chapter 3: The Legendary Family

  "More than just being formidable, I'll give you a brief introduction to the common knowledge of our Demon Moon Continent," said Gong Sun Jian with a smile. "This continent is called the Demon Moon Continent, and it's named after the Demon Moon. You can go out at night and take a look at the sky to understand why. The Demon Moon is the common faith of all people on this continent. After thousands of years of struggle for power and dominance, four superpowers emerged hundreds of years ago, which are Luoli, Changfeng, Jumuwu, and our current location, Tian Shuang. The four countries have been at war for years, and their powers have risen and fallen, eventually forming a relatively balanced situation. The Demon Moon Continent has also seen a rare peaceful scene in thousands of years.

  Among the four countries, Jumuwu has the largest territory, and the largest forest in this world, the Demon Moon Forest, is located within its borders. Jumuwu is located at the eastern end of the Demon Moon Continent, with vast territory but sparse population. However, due to their long history of hunting as a way of life, Jumuwu's archers are unmatched, and they are also skilled in taming wild beasts. Whenever they go to battle, they will first drive away large wild beasts to disrupt the enemy's formation. They are also a force that no other power dares to offend easily.

  Changfeng is located at the western end of the Demon Moon Continent, with mostly deserts within its borders. Its national strength is the weakest among the four countries, and it may be because of this reason that Changfeng's people are known for their ferocity and plundering nature. Additionally, Changfeng is skilled in refining metals, and its weapons and armor are renowned throughout the world. They often plunder neighboring countries during times of famine, making them the most hated among the four countries.

  Luoli, on the other hand, is relatively the most gentle among the four countries. It was founded on a religious basis, and the unity of its people is their most powerful weapon. You also know that religious beliefs can drive people crazy. Throughout history, Luoli has been invaded countless times, but as long as someone calls for protection in the name of religion, all the believers will resist with their lives. It's also the most mysterious country.

  Luoli is located on a large island at the southern end of the Demon Moon Continent, surrounded by sea on all sides, making it easy to defend and difficult to attack. Since its founding, no one has been able to break through its defenses.

  As for Tian Shuang, it is the most special among the four countries."

  "What's special? What's so special?" Hellenore asked in confusion.

  Here is the translation:

  "You should know that Tianfeng was originally just a vassal state of Changfeng, but 500 years ago, Tianfeng had a brilliant and ambitious ruler: Tang Tian. He endured hardships and difficulties, and with the help of Helian Wushuang, the ancestor of the Helian family, he gradually accumulated power and eventually broke away from Changfeng to become an independent country. Changfeng repeatedly sent troops to attack, but Helian Wushuang repeatedly defeated them with a small force, and Changfeng was gradually unable to do anything about Tianfeng. They had no choice but to declare Tianfeng as an independent vassal state of Changfeng in name only.

  You should know that among the four major countries, Jumuwu has the most abundant resources, Changfeng has the strongest military power, Luoli has the most united people, and each has its own unique advantages. But Tianfeng relies solely on the Helian family. The Helian family has produced many talented and brilliant individuals who have continuously expanded the territory for the Tang family. By the time of your grandfather Helian Zongheng's generation, Tianfeng became a powerful country and finally stopped being conservative, launching a large-scale attack on Changfeng. Helian Zongheng led an army of one million soldiers and spent 30 years driving the Changfeng army back to the west of Tianzhu Mountain, almost expanding Tianfeng's territory by ten times.

  Helian Zongheng was also known as a rare talent comparable to Helian Wushuang. The Helian family became one of the most legendary families on the Youyue continent. Although the Helian family has always had few people, by your father's generation, there was only your father left, but the Helian family's military fortunes have not declined at all.

  When Helian Zhan was 13 years old, the southern barbarians suddenly attacked and burned, killed, looted, and destroyed hundreds of cities in Tianfeng's southern border. The people suffered greatly. At that time, Helian Zongheng was trapped in Tianzhu Mountain and could not return to rescue them. In this critical moment, 13-year-old Helian Zhan unexpectedly stood up and led the remaining 50,000 imperial guards from the capital city to march south, repeatedly using clever tactics to defeat the southern barbarians, killing nearly one million enemies and recovering countless cities. He even expanded Tianfeng's territory by another third. The southern native barbarian tribes were defeated and never recovered.

  Helian Zhan was also known as the Iron-Blooded Young Marshal after this great war. Your older brother Helian Poyan was only 15 years old when he led troops to resist the invasion of Jumuwu's archers many times, and every time he fought bravely and selflessly, earning the love and respect of his soldiers.

  Your second brother is only eight years old this year, but he has already been recognized as a genius strategist by the Tianfeng Empire and has been recruited by the Prime Minister's office as an advisor. The Prime Minister always seeks his opinion when faced with difficult decisions. He is one of the rare wise generals in the Helian family.

  Gongsun Rang's face showed a look of admiration as he spoke, clearly showing his reverence for the Helian family."

  Sun Liao listened to Gong Sun's narrative, as if he had seen with his own eyes the heroic Helian Zongying attacking cities and territories, winning every battle. He seemed to see Helian Zongying, a young man who achieved great things, was granted the title of king, and saw Helian Po, the eldest brother, always fighting in the forefront, his armor stained with blood. He also seemed to see Helian Shuo, the second brother, making strategic decisions from afar, winning victories thousands of miles away. He couldn't help but feel some admiration for this legendary family.

  "What's most legendary about the Helian family isn't their exceptional talents," Gong Sun continued, "but rather that for five hundred years, no matter how unworthy the Tang descendants were as rulers of Tianxia, the Helians remained loyal and unchanged, never once having a second thought - this is what truly earns them the respect of the world."

  "But can the Tang family just let the Helian family dominate like this? Any ruler of a country would not like it if one of their subjects had much more prestige among the people than themselves," Sun Liao asked, not without doubt.

  "Of course not, since ancient times there have been many loyal and devoted ministers, but few benevolent rulers. As far as I know, the Tang family has been taking measures to weaken the Helian family's power since the founding of the country. Although every member of the Helian family was conferred titles and honors, they didn't actually hold much military power. The Tang family also strongly supported another military family, the Zheng family, in order to suppress the Helian family from becoming too powerful. Originally, the heads of the Helian family were loyal and devoted for generations, so the Tang family wasn't too worried. But with the appearance and rise of one person, the Tang family had to be even more vigilant towards the Helian family, that person being your father, Helian Zhan." Gong Sunjan looked at Sun Liao with great interest.

  "Who is He Lianzhan?", Upon hearing Gong Sunjian mention that father he had never met, Sun Liao couldn't help but feel curious, what kind of man was he?

  Here is the translation:

  "It's him, He Lian Zhan, the acknowledged military genius of the He Lian family on the continent of Yao Yue, after He Lian Wu Shuang and He Lian Zong Heng. However, unlike other men in the He Lian family who are known for their stability and discipline, He Lian Zhan is a born wild card. He is famous for his unpredictable tactics on the battlefield, often catching his enemies off guard, earning him the nickname 'He Lian's Snake' outside of the Iron Blood War. In contrast, your grandfather's nickname is 'He Lian's Bear', symbolizing his stability and unshakeable mind. Your two older brothers are nicknamed 'He Lian's Tiger' and 'He Lian's Fox', one being brave and unmatched, the other being cunning and unbeatable.

  Off the battlefield, He Lian Zhan has also had many unexpected actions. He once single-handedly disrupted the engagement ceremony of the second son of the Nan Huan family and the Western Wind family, and took away the bride-to-be, Nan Huan Yue, who is your mother. Since then, the Nan Huan family declared Nan Huan Yue to be a discarded daughter, never to return again. The Western Wind family viewed this as a great shame for their clan, declaring that they would not rest until they had taken revenge on the He Lian family.

  More importantly, last month's Tian Shuang decade-long 'Festival of Heaven' ceremony, where all the kings from around the country gathered to pay respects, was the only time He Lian Zhan did not return to the capital. It is said that He Lian Zhan has become like an emperor in the southern borders, with the Tang family already viewing him as a thorn in their side, eager to get rid of him as soon as possible. In reality, while the Tian Shuang Empire appears peaceful on the surface, it is actually already stirring with undercurrents, and a storm is brewing."

  "It seems that the life of this third young master is not very stable either!", Sun Liao sighed with some regret, but no matter what, it was still much better than his own begging life in his previous life.

  With a creak, the door of Sun Liao's small hut was gently pushed open. Sun Liao turned his head to see that it was He Lian Zong Heng and Nan Xiang Yue who had arrived. He Lian Zong Heng walked over to the cradle and gently pinched Sun Liao's little nose, his face full of affection. Meanwhile, Nan Xiang Yue stood beside him, her eyes filled with a hint of worry for some reason.

  "Yuèr", He Lian withdrew his hand from Sun Liao's face and turned back to say: "The naming ceremony has ended, but the elder's words have left me with some unease. You must remember that this child's future may be fraught with many difficulties, so be sure to teach him to cultivate his character and nature, and don't let him bring shame to the 'Nuò' in his name!"

  "Remember, Father can rest assured that the sons of the He Lian family will not be inferior to others. However, it's been two months since Warlang had any news, and I'm a bit worried about him compared to Nuo'er."

  "Alas, Zhan Er has never been one to follow conventional reasoning. The loyalty and devotion we consider as dear as life itself are merely foolish loyalty in his eyes. Last time he came home, he spoke with me in secret, expressing much discontent towards Emperor Tang Jian. And it seems that Tang Jian has long felt that the Helian family's achievements overshadow his own, intending to replace us with the Zheng family... Perhaps Zhan Er is right, I have no disloyal intentions, but the emperor already harbors suspicions against me!"

  Nan Huang Yue nodded in agreement: "Think of the He Lian family's loyalty to the emperor and protection of the country for a hundred years. If not for that, what else could we rely on to let the He Lian brothers sacrifice themselves on the battlefield? How could Tian Shuang be as stable as it is now? It's just that Emperor Tang Jian is too suspicious and listens to Zheng family's slanderous words, wanting to weaken us. Master, your loyalty to Tian Shuang is clear to heaven and earth, but we must leave a way out for He Lian!"

  "Yes, perhaps it's really time for us to consider the future of our Heli family. I admit that I'm old now and can't control what Shang'er does anymore, nor do I want to. He doesn't want to be loyal to the Tang family, so I won't force him. I just hope he doesn't cause trouble and ruin the glorious reputation of our Heli ancestors!"

  "Nan Huangyue smiled faintly and said, 'Father, you should be the clearest about your son. Although Zhan Lang is a bit unruly, his character is extremely kind. He also thinks that the Tang family was unkind to us first, so he secretly prepared for contingencies. Don't worry, as long as the Tang family doesn't make a move against Helian, Zhan Lang will never betray Tian Xiang.'"

  "He Lian smiled wryly: 'I hope so!'"