Henry Lang hadn’t spoken yet when the blue-robed Isaac Lowell beside him cried out in surprise, firing off a string of questions: “Edward Lang? The same Lord Lang who aided the founding emperor in conquering the realm? The Lord Lang who single-handedly established the Nine Dragons Division? The Lord Lang who was ultimately executed by sawing for the crime of treason?”

Every word from Isaac Lowell was like a thunderclap, echoing fiercely in Henry Lang’s ears. He had previously learned from Evelyn Wynn that his ancestor was a high official, but he had never imagined that his forebear, Edward Lang, was actually a founding minister.

“That’s right, the very first commander of our Nine Dragons Division, Lord Lang!” N/A’s expression grew solemn as he nodded. “Back then, my own ancestor from the Qu family also followed Lord Lang through life and death, deeply indebted to his kindness... But later, when peace reigned, this Lord Lang’s heart turned dark! Do you know what the very first cases Edward Lang handled after establishing the Nine Dragons Division were?”

As he spoke, his tone shifted, and both Henry Lang and Isaac Lowell dared not respond.

A mocking sneer curled at N/A’s lips: “The first cases the Nine Dragons Division took on after its founding were to investigate all of Edward Lang’s old subordinates! These men were all hardened soldiers, who had spent decades in war, conquering cities and lands—how could their records possibly be spotless? Once investigated, every single one was found guilty! All were stripped of their positions and sent back to the countryside to farm. Heh, my own ancestor’s crimes were especially severe and he was thrown into the Nine Dragons Division’s prison! From that moment, my ancestor swore a deadly oath to kill Edward Lang.”

Henry Lang was completely stunned, his eyes darting around, searching for an escape route...

Isaac Lowell’s face twitched; as a member of the Nine Dragons Division himself, he knew their prison was far more terrifying than any ordinary jail.

N/A’s expression didn’t change as he continued, “A few years later, when Edward Lang’s treason was exposed and he was executed, my ancestor’s injustice was redressed, his official rank restored, and from then on, our Qu family prospered, all the way to today.”

Isaac Lowell swallowed and quietly echoed, “Congratulations, sir...”

Suddenly, N/A burst out laughing: “But the Qu family wasn’t foolish! When Lord Lang was sentenced to death, my ancestor suddenly realized! After the Nine Dragons Division was established, Edward Lang must have been plotting something earth-shattering. If that plan failed, everyone connected to him would be implicated, so he found a pretext to drive away all his old subordinates first. This bitter ruse fooled everyone! At that time, my ancestor swore another deadly oath: to risk everything, even his life, to clear Lord Lang’s name and repay his painstaking kindness!”

Henry Lang finally let out a long breath, thinking to himself that this Qu ancestor sure liked making deadly oaths: “What exactly was my ancestor plotting? Was it really treason? And why would he rebel?”

N/A narrowed his eyes slightly: “If he truly intended to rebel, what would we be investigating? With Lord Lang’s martial prowess and strategy, if he wanted to be emperor, he would never have waited until the empire was stable to make his move!”

Henry Lang didn’t fully understand, but he got the gist of what the Captain meant: “Evelyn Wynn said he was highly skilled, and you say he was very powerful. If it was really a wrongful conviction, even if he couldn’t win, couldn’t he at least escape?”

N/A slowly shook his head and said, “These matters are true royal secrets. The case files from back then have long since been destroyed. The charge was treason, but what the real crime was—no one knows.”

For generations, the Qu family had secretly investigated Edward Lang’s case. They had connections at court, and their family had served as officials for generations, holding posts in the Censorate, the Court of Judicial Review, the Ministry of Justice, the Nine Dragons Division, the Hanlin Academy, and even one Qu elder, after falling ill, castrated himself to become a eunuch in the palace... but they found absolutely nothing.

As Mr. Quinn was speaking, Henry Lang took half a step forward, straightened his back, and knelt before him with utmost seriousness. But before he could say a word, the other grabbed him like a chick and lifted him up, chuckling: “Back then, our ancestors were loyal to each other. There’s no need for us descendants to bother with these formalities. To be honest, though the Qu family has worked hard all these years, we haven’t accomplished anything major.”

Mr. Quinn set Henry Lang down beside him: “My name is Charles Quinn. From now on, let’s call each other brothers!” Then, after a moment’s hesitation, he smiled at Isaac Lowell: “When it’s just us, you don’t need to keep calling me ‘sir’ or ‘commander’.”

Henry Lang and Isaac Lowell exchanged a glance, both visibly delighted.

“There’s one more thing I need to make clear to you.” Charles Quinn seemed to regret something again, and before the two could call out ‘Big Brother Ethan’, he changed the subject: “All these years, my family has been investigating the case, but we haven’t really protected Lord Lang’s descendants. Do you know why?”

Henry Lang sighed gloomily: “Because it wouldn’t help. The Liang family’s crime is too great. Being ordinary criminals now is already the best outcome. Other than overturning the case, there’s no way for us to clear our name. If you looked after us too much, it would draw the court’s attention, and then not only would you be in danger, but my family would be implicated too.”

Isaac Lowell nodded and smiled from the side: “The descendants of Commander Lang always have a bit of cleverness about them!”