Chapter 501 - 400: Nighttime Hearthside Conversations

"It’s been three months, and the discussion about you on the Great Xia forum is still at the top of the list."

Late at night, a group of people gathered around a grill, eating and drinking.

The past three months have been so busy that only at night can everyone come together for a moment of relaxation.

The grill was a simple charcoal stove.

Inside, charcoal was burning, and on the grill, a hotpot was boiling, with kebabs around it, skewered with various foods.

Even though it’s a Level 5 technological civilization, and there are certainly more high-tech ways to process and cook food, Han Zhan still insists on using charcoal.

Some things just taste the way they are.

Sitting to the left of Han Zhan was Li Lingzhen, who was now at least a minister of Great Xia, but still acted informally in front of her family.

In her left hand, she held three meat skewers, while her right hand held five, as she buried herself in devouring the food.

"Lingzhen, why are you holding five papaya skewers?! You’re already big enough!"

"For your information, eating papaya has nothing to do with how big they get."

"Is it possible I just simply want to eat grilled papaya...?"

After Li Lingzhen finished speaking, she took a few more bites, her foodie nature on full display.

Besides her, there was another foodie, Nuannuan, sitting next to Li Lingzhen.

Because of using the Flowing Light and Shadow Talent, Nuannuan was still in a "punished" state, maintaining a loli figure.

Even though Han Zhan had helped her many times over the three months, she still hadn’t returned to her female form.

This time, the punishment from time was quite heavy.

But it didn’t affect her appetite.

Now, she and Li Lingzhen were fighting over food next to the charcoal stove.

Sitting to the right of Han Zhan was Xia Youwei, dressed more casually, with a sky-blue sweater and light white pants, accentuating her great figure.

With a smile on her face, she watched Li Lingzhen and Nuannuan play around, while mediating between them:

"Stop fighting. I’m grilling for you both here, so there’s enough for everyone."

After saying that, she divided the ten or so skewers she was grilling for Li Lingzhen and Nuannuan, "appeasing" the two foodies.

Youwei was increasingly embodying the essence of the Main Palace Lady.

Seeing this, Han Zhan felt a sense of emotion, suddenly being gently scratched on the palm by Xia Youwei.

Before Han Zhan could react, a few skewers were stuffed into his hand.

Seeing the even more pronounced smile on Xia Youwei’s face, Han Zhan also broke into a smile.

"Why are you staring at me like that?" Xia Youwei’s ears turned slightly red at Han Zhan’s gaze, and she shyly said.

"Eat it while it’s hot, or it won’t taste good later."

This girl, even being the Great Xia Corps Commander now, still gets so shy.

Han Zhan chuckled, shaking his head, stopping himself from teasing her, and shifting his gaze while eating the skewers.

Sitting next to Xia Youwei was Shang Siteng.

Because they were seated in a circle, Shang Siteng was directly opposite Han Zhan.

With the Celestial Net being laid out, materials prepared, and progress on the Energy Bricks, among many other things, Shang Siteng had been busy for three months and still had a lot of work to do.

She wore an ol-style suit and short skirt, paired with flesh-colored stockings, looking both capable and showing off her long legs.

Han Zhan’s gaze moved from Xia Youwei to Shang Siteng, and... hmm... hmm?

Why did this short skirt seem to be deliberately hiked up?

Why did this sitting posture seem odd?

Han Zhan’s gaze was like being drawn into a deep black hole, difficult to escape.

In the next second, the black hole suddenly opened, almost causing Han Zhan to choke on his food.

"Heh." Seeing Han Zhan’s reaction, Shang Siteng, who had done this on purpose, chuckled.

The Old Priestess truly lives up to her name.

Drinking tactically, Han Zhan thought to himself about dealing with her later, and he shifted his gaze away.

Sitting beside Shang Siteng was Gongyang Jin.

The six of them just formed a circle around the charcoal stove.

Today, Gongyang Jin wasn’t wearing her sword dao outfit but was instead in loose home wear—of course, it was Han Zhan’s.

This trend somehow caught on, and including Gongyang Jin, they all loved wearing Han Zhan’s clothes at home.

She was in charge of cooking food in the hotpot, while quietly listening to the conversations around her.

This ice-cold beauty, known for her frosty demeanor towards outsiders, revealed a faint smile that only those closest to her could see.

"It seems they’re quite satisfied with you as the new leader of Great Xia," she continued.

"What, you’re not satisfied?"

Han Zhan raised an eyebrow at Gongyang Jin, making his intention clear.

Little one, if I can’t deal with the Old Priestess, do you think I can’t deal with you, little Jin?

To his surprise, Gongyang Jin actually shook her head, "Not very satisfied."

"With more people, the frequency becomes less. I think we can increase the training load, get everything ’well organized’."

Han Zhan: "???"

You’ve changed, Xiao Jin!

Faced with Han Zhan’s gaze, Gongyang Jin remained unfazed, "Training is to further hone the sword dao. I must catch up with you in sword dao!"

This sword dao you’re talking about, is it a serious sword dao?

Han Zhan rubbed his forehead.

Back to the main topic.

Joking and playfulness are necessary, but so is discussing serious matters. That’s life.

"Now that the Imperial has been removed from Blue Star’s territory, the threat from the remaining forces to Great Xia is greatly reduced. Ah Zhan, what are your plans next?"

"The teacher’s revenge isn’t complete."

Talking about Li Shutong made Han Zhan’s expression serious.

"Now, with Great Xia recovering lost land and expanding its territory, everything is moving in a positive direction."

"But one should not forget the betrayal against the teacher! Be it the Imperial, Can Shang Company, Longevity Company, or the Crimson Insect Race, none of them will escape!"

Han Zhan hasn’t immediately declared war on these forces due to personal concerns.

Great Xia has just stabilized, and after expanding its territory, it will need time to consolidate.

Recklessly declaring war would only drag the Great Xia People back into the misery of war.

Han Zhan feels that while one should remember hate, they shouldn’t let it blind them and cause the Great Xia People to suffer. That’s irrational.

As a decision-maker, he needs to consider multiple layers of factors.

"The future is long; we have plenty of time to settle scores with them."

Xia Youwei looked at Han Zhan with concern after hearing his words, asking, "I heard from Second Senior Brother that if the Void Origin inside you erupts uncontrollably, it would be very dangerous?"

"If it can’t be controlled, that’s true. But I still have the Sword Qi left by the Yellow Emperor suppressing it."

Han Zhan spoke in a deliberately light tone to ease Xia Youwei’s worry.

Who would’ve thought, thinking three strands of sword qi were abundant, he’d never fought such an abundant battle, yet after a battle with the Imperial, two strands were directly consumed.

As his realm improved, the difficulties he encountered also became harder to solve. Han Zhan sighed inwardly.

Addressing the threat of the Void Origin should indeed be prioritized.

"It’s getting late."

Feeling full, Li Lingzhen patted her flat and smooth belly, "Ah Zhan, it’s time to put in some effort!"

The others also got up in unison, smiles on their faces.

"Today I want to cosplay as a nun!"

Li Lingzhen enthusiastically announced as she headed out first.