I worked myself to the bone to become a saint, and survived on a deserted island with a stunning pri

The young man gently hooked his index finger.

boom!

A loud crash rang out, and the middle-aged civil official stared at the young man in disbelief. A bloody hole appeared on his forehead, and he lost all vitality, falling straight off his horse, his brains shattered.

As soon as the young man fired the first shot, the 800 men behind him raised their guns and fired in rapid succession, slaughtering all 1000 men led by the middle-aged civil official.

Inside the prison van, Ling Zhennan was filled with astonishment, his eyes fixed on the objects in the hands of these people, his shock beyond measure.

"What is this thing! It's so terrifying!" Ling Zhennan gasped.

Just then, Ling Zhennan saw the handsome young man stride towards his car, swat his knife, cut the chains of the prison cart, and release him.

"Thank you for your help!" Ling Zhennan gratefully cupped his hands in thanks, vowing to repay the life-saving grace with boundless gratitude.

"Young man, you are handsome and imposing. I am deeply grateful."

"Young brother, you have saved me from dire straits, which is like giving me a second life. If you will not abandon me, I am willing to become sworn brothers with you and call you my brother from now on," Ling Zhennan said, patting his chest, his face full of gratitude.

Ling Zhennan had never said these words to anyone in his life. He was truly grateful to the young man before him.

He originally thought the young man would be very happy after hearing what he said.

But he noticed that the young man in front of him had a strange expression on his face.

"Young brother, do you perhaps look down on me?" Ling Zhennan's expression turned somewhat unpleasant. Although he was now a prisoner, he was once a great general of the imperial court, commanding hundreds of thousands of soldiers and guarding the southern border, which prevented the Southern Yue monkeys from ever venturing into the territory of the Great Zhou.

Even if Ling Zhennan is nothing now, isn't he worth befriending based on his past reputation?

Ling Zhennan was a little sad. Could it be that he was getting old?

Chu Nan was conflicted, and his face showed even more inner turmoil.

The father-in-law I just rescued actually wants to become sworn brothers with me!

Chu Nan wanted to explain now, but he was afraid that if he did, Ling Zhennan would fly into a rage.

"General... cough cough, General Ling, I was entrusted by someone to rescue you. Please don't say that, I can't accept it." Considering that this was his future father-in-law, Chu Nan quickly became modest and took the initiative to refer to himself as a junior.

Ling Zhennan waved his hand: "Young brother, you're being too polite. Although I, Ling Zhennan, am a martial artist, I'm not a fool. I know perfectly well the price you paid to bring people to rescue me."

"Even brothers probably couldn't do that!"

"Such a great favor, as if I were given a second chance at life, could it be that you, young brother, look down on your older brother?" Ling Zhennan said, feigning anger.

"No, no... of course not." Chu Nan waved his hands repeatedly, unsure of what to say for a moment.

He turned around and glared at Wang San and the others who were following behind him.

Wang San hurriedly stepped forward and said, "Young Master, it's getting late. We should leave soon, lest there be pursuers. Besides, Madam and the others are waiting for you to return."

Upon hearing Wang San's words, Chu Nan coughed twice and said, "General Ling, please mount your horse. This place is dangerous, so it's not advisable to say more. Let's talk when we get there."

Ling Zhennan, naturally aware of the priorities, said no more and quickly mounted his horse. He and Chu Nan and the others rode off at full speed.

The other prisoners in the prison carts were all Ling Zhennan's confidants, some of whom had even held high positions in the army, such as deputy generals, lieutenant generals, or junior generals.

The group traveled at breakneck speed for nearly seven days before finally returning to Qinglong City.

Along the way, Ling Zhennan repeatedly proposed to become sworn brothers with Chu Nan, but Chu Nan politely declined each time.

In the days that followed, Chu Nan simply avoided Ling Zhennan, wearing other people's clothes and being surrounded. Ling Zhennan couldn't find Chu Nan, so he had no choice but to give up for the time being.

They arrived at the gate of Chu Nan's mansion in Qinglong City.

Upon seeing his daughter, Ling Zhennan burst into tears.

"Father!" Ling Hanxue burst into tears and stepped forward to hug him.

Ling Zhennan patted his daughter's hair, tears streaming down his face.

"Alas, it's all my fault for being too blindly loyal; I almost ruined you." Ling Zhennan was heartbroken.

Ling Hanxue shook her head: "It's not Father's fault. Perhaps something has happened in the capital."

Ling Zhennan nodded: "That's what I thought too. My Ling family has been loyal to the Great Zhou and His Majesty for generations. His Majesty would not kill my Ling family for this."

"Brother Chu!" Ling Zhennan waved to Chu Nan as he walked over with an embarrassed look on his face.

Just then, Ling Zhennan's eyes widened suddenly, because his daughter broke free from his arms and threw herself into Chu Nan's embrace.

"Chu Nan, thank you." Ling Hanxue leaned against Chu Nan's chest, tears welling up in her beautiful eyes.

Chu Nan glanced at Ling Zhennan beside him, whose face was alternating between pale and flushed, and coughed, "Let's go inside and talk."

"Um... Father-in-law... Shall we go inside and talk?" Chu Nan said with a fawning smile.

Ling Zhennan's face turned black, or rather, red.

It turns out that this young man she had her eye on was already dating her daughter.

"What kind of behavior is this! Without the consent of parents and the words of a matchmaker, you..." Ling Zhennan's face turned red with anger.

However, whether it was anger or embarrassment is unknown.

Upon entering the hall, Ling Zhennan saw Ji Menghan and couldn't help but widen his eyes in surprise.

"Your Highness? What are you doing here?" Ling Zhennan exclaimed, his mouth agape.

Ji Menghan quickly stood up: "Uncle Ling, you're too kind. Just call me Menghan."

"How can this be allowed? It violates the etiquette of a subject." Ling Zhennan shook his head repeatedly.

The next moment, Ling Zhennan saw Ji Menghan step forward as well. She nestled in the virgin's arms, looking blissfully happy and like a little bird seeking shelter.

"This...this..." Ling Zhennan felt like his brain was about to short-circuit.

It wasn't until dinner time that evening, when Chu Nan, Ji Menghan, Ling Hanxue, and Ling Zhennan sat at the same table, that Ling Zhennan gasped in shock.

After hearing about Chu Nan and his group's ordeal from the deserted island until now, Ling Zhennan's expression darkened.

"His Majesty never mentioned anything to me about Zhao Wanzhi."

Ling Zhennan spoke in a deep voice: "I had previously submitted a memorial to His Majesty, saying that there were unusual movements in the army belonging to Zhao Wanzhi's faction, but His Majesty only replied with two words, 'It's alright.'"

"Furthermore, why does His Majesty want my entire Ling family wiped out?" Ling Zhennan asked, puzzled.

Chu Nan also shook his head.

Even Ji Menghan, Ji Che's biological daughter, had no idea what Ji Che was up to, let alone Chu Nan.

"But I remember you weren't like this before, kid?" Ling Zhennan suddenly looked Chu Nan up and down with a probing look.

"I remember you and your elder brother were both notorious playboys in the capital, so why do you seem different? Are you the real Chu Nan? Or a fake Chu Nan?"

"Genuine, no doubt about it!" Chu Nan patted his chest.