Liu Yuzhu watched Chu He closely.
She noted that as he gazed at the faded photograph, his expression showed no sign of displeasure or aversion.
Her heart settled slightly. This was undoubtedly a great omen for the success of their plan.
Liu Yuzhu began to explain the situation. "Mr. Chu, after tireless effort, we used special channels to successfully obtain a sample of your DNA and compared it with the DNA of the couple in this photograph.
The results have been confirmed. The couple in the photograph are, in fact, your biological parents.
They didn't abandon you intentionally all those years ago. They were unfortunately separated from you in the crowd at a temple fair, and someone took you.
Your parents... your mother and father are still in relatively good health, but the pain and shock of losing you was a tremendous blow to them.
All these years, they have carried this photograph with them, traveling everywhere in search of you.
A few years ago, they even suspected you might be their long-lost son.
But considering your supreme status in the Great Jing Empire,
as the National Guardian War God, your position is one of immense prestige.
So they dismissed the thought, afraid they would cause you unnecessary trouble.
But rest assured, we have already found them and are taking good care of them.
If you're willing, we can accompany you to the Great Xia Empire to reunite with them at any time."
Chu He listened quietly to Liu Yuzhu's explanation and gave a slight nod.
Whether it was to complete the system's mission or to satisfy the longing for family in his own heart, he decided he had to meet the parents in the photograph.
He wanted to know if the story behind the photo was truly as Liu Yuzhu had described.
Love for one's family and country is the deepest emotion in a person's heart.
Without a home, there is no country; without a country, there is no home.
Although Chu He had spent most of his life in the Great Jing Empire, his yearning for a family and the search for his roots had never ceased.
The photograph in his hand was his only clue, and now, his greatest hope.
Seeing Chu He nod in agreement, Liu Yuzhu and the others' faces lit up with joy.
This decision was immensely significant for them and for the entire Great Xia Empire.
Ye Lingyun, who was by Chu He's side, asked in a low voice, "Master, could this be a trap?"
Chu He didn't answer directly.
Even if it was a trap, he was not afraid.
...
The news spread as if it had wings, swiftly crossing the sea to the Great Xia Empire.
Queen Lu Yinxing sat on her magnificent throne, her pale, delicate fists tapping lightly on the jade table before her. Her eyes shone with excitement. "We've succeeded! No, I should say we're more than halfway there.
We've already taken the most difficult step. The path forward shouldn't have many more obstacles."
She took a deep breath, as if trying to inhale the very essence of her joy.
"What is the condition of Chu He's parents?"
She suddenly turned to ask an attendant by her side.
"They live in a peaceful town, far from the clamor of the world, living a life of quiet seclusion."
The attendant replied respectfully, "As for their specific living conditions, we are not yet entirely clear, but there shouldn't be any major issues."
At that moment, Councilor Xiao Yu stood up. "Her Majesty the Queen, is Chu He really worth us going to such great lengths?
The Great Xia Empire and the Great Jing Empire have some friction, but it hasn't reached an irreconcilable point.
Now, Chu He has become a criminal in the Great Jing Empire, even inciting public outrage.
The ruler of the Great Jing Empire has already issued a warrant for his arrest. By doing this, aren't we just slapping the Great Jing Empire in the face?
If they find out, I fear they will hold it against us.
Right now, our Great Xia Empire faces troubles both internal and external—Evil Spirits are stirring within, and powerful enemies are eyeing us like tigers from without. Won't this action push us to the edge of a very dangerous cliff?"
Another councilor, Jin Guibo, shook his head and slowly rose to his feet. "Councilor Xiao Yu, you're missing something. Chu He's power is extraordinary.
The new Queen of the Great Jing Empire needs to establish her authority. The previous King had a close relationship with Chu He, so she doesn't trust him. That's why she was so eager to pull Chu He down from his pedestal in the Great Jing Empire.
Now, the Great Jing Empire is also showing signs of stirring Evil Spirits, and there are problems at the Demon Cave as well.
I believe that if we can successfully persuade Chu He to join the Great Xia Empire, it would be a brilliant strategic move.
There are already many well-informed individuals in the country who learned of this plan for Chu He ahead of time,
and many of them are dismissive, influenced by the propaganda spread by the Great Jing Empire.
But I'm telling you, this Chu He is by no means as simple as you imagine.
According to the intel from Liu Yuzhu, Chu He is even stronger than when he suppressed the Demon Cave—and not just by a little."
Jin Guibo suddenly recalled something and added, "Regarding Chu He's parents, we must make impeccable arrangements.
If they've truly run into any trouble,
we need to resolve their situation perfectly before Chu He sets foot in the Great Xia Empire. At the very least, we must ensure Chu He is put at ease."
Councilor Xiao Yu nodded, but his tone was clearly dismissive. "Rest assured, my subordinates aren't idiots. They know how to handle things."
Councilor Jin Guibo opened his mouth, wanting to remind Her Majesty the Queen and Councilor Xiao Yu that they should first conduct a thorough investigation into the parents' living conditions to ensure they hadn't suffered any hardships or grievances.
But upon seeing Her Majesty the Queen so immersed in her excitement, he swallowed the words he was about to say.
'Since Chu He's parents are still alive and well,' he thought, 'there probably isn't a major problem.
They couldn't possibly be so unlucky as to have something terrible happen to them, right?'
...
「Three days later」
A silver-white airplane landed smoothly at the Great Xia Empire's Royal City Airport.
On the airport tarmac, a fleet of luxury cars was already lined up in neat rows, silently awaiting the arrival of their distinguished guest.
Sunlight glinted off their polished bodies, creating a dazzling display that stood in sharp contrast to the airport's usual hustle and bustle.
At this moment, Her Majesty the Queen, Lu Yinxing, was dressed in a magnificent gown, a delicate crown inlaid with pearls and slivers of silver resting on her head.
She stood in the sunlight, her face radiating a dignified smile.
The light danced on her skin as if draping her in a golden halo, making Lu Yinxing appear all the more regal and stunningly beautiful.
Her snow-white neck appeared especially elegant in the sun, its lines smooth and graceful, her aura transcendent.
Her petite frame, perched atop a pair of exquisite high heels, gave her an even more statuesque posture.
When Chu He's figure appeared at the airport exit, Lu Yinxing immediately moved to greet him.
Her steps were light and elegant, each one seemingly falling on a perfect beat, captivating all who watched.
"Mr. Chu, welcome."
Lu Yinxing's voice was gentle and sweet, her eyes sparkling with delight. "Your arrival is an honor for the entire Great Xia Empire."
Chu He nodded. "You've gone to great trouble regarding my parents. Liu Yuzhu explained everything in detail on the way here. If things are truly as she described, then I will owe you a favor."