Genghis Khan studied Chen Rong for a moment, his sharp eyes reflecting the flickering firelight inside the command tent.
"I heard that you are a man of the Han people," the Great Khan said slowly. "You have no family left in this world now, is that correct?"
Chen Rong lowered his head slightly. The question was sudden, yet he understood the meaning behind it. Genghis Khan was not merely asking about his past—he was probing his loyalty.
"It has only been a few years in the mountains for me," Chen Rong replied quietly, "yet a thousand years seem to have passed in this world.
Everything I once knew has vanished. My homeland, my kin… they are all gone. Now, I stand alone."
Genghis Khan nodded, then stepped forward and placed a firm hand on Chen Rong's shoulder.
"That matters little," he said in a steady voice. "From this day forward, Mongolia shall be your home. Follow me, make contributions, and you will not be treated poorly."
Chen Rong bowed deeply.
"Thank you, Great Khan, for your trust."
Outwardly, his expression remained respectful, but inwardly his thoughts were far more complicated.
If he wished to survive in this era—and perhaps shape his own future—he needed a powerful foundation. For now, there was no better choice than Genghis Khan.
Still, Chen Rong understood something clearly: Mongol rule was harsh, even toward their own people.
Their conquests brought destruction as often as glory. Aligning himself with them was dangerous… but refusing them would be even more dangerous.
For now, survival came first.
Genghis Khan suddenly stroked his beard and smiled.
"Come. Drive your iron carriage outside the camp. I wish to ride it.
Let us take a run across the plains."
Chen Rong blinked in mild surprise.
He had nearly forgotten that Genghis Khan's original interest in him stemmed from the off-road vehicle.
After witnessing the drone and projector, the iron carriage had temporarily faded from attention.
Chen Rong was about to agree when a voice interrupted.
"Great Khan, please reconsider."
Yelu Chucai stepped forward, still holding his writing brush. His expression was calm, but there was unmistakable urgency in his tone.
"It is late at night. The front lines remain unstable. If Great Khan wishes to ride Mr. Chen's carriage, it would be safer to wait until daylight."
The Great Khan frowned slightly.
Yelu Chucai continued carefully.
"Our forces recently suffered losses at Parwan. The Khwarezm army's morale is high, and their new Sultan, Jalal ad-Din, is said to be gathering tens of thousands of troops.
If Your Majesty were to leave the camp at night and encounter danger, it would endanger the entire western campaign."
Chen Rong also stepped forward.
"Great Khan, Mr. Yelu speaks wisely. Night travel outside the camp is indeed risky. It would be better to wait until tomorrow."
Truthfully, Chen Rong himself had no desire to drive outside the camp at night.
The Mongol front lines were far from safe, and he had no wish to encounter unexpected threats in unfamiliar terrain.
Genghis Khan considered this for a moment before nodding.
"Very well. I have seen many wonders today—enough to satisfy my curiosity. Tomorrow, when I summon you, you shall drive me out across the plains."
Chen Rong bowed.
"As you command, Great Khan."
Genghis Khan leaned back slightly, clearly satisfied. The purpose of tonight's meeting had already been achieved.
He had confirmed Chen Rong's abilities and determined that the man possessed objects beyond ordinary understanding.
There was no need to rush.
After a brief pause, Chen Rong spoke again.
"Great Khan, I have a gift I wish to present."
Genghis Khan raised an eyebrow.
"A gift? Is it also something bestowed upon you by the gods?"
"Yes," Chen Rong replied, reaching into his vehicle and retrieving a heavy-duty flashlight. He returned and presented it respectfully with both hands.
"This is called a Divine Light Staff."
Genghis Khan accepted the object, turning it over in his hands. The black metal cylinder felt solid and unfamiliar.
"What is its purpose?" he asked.
Chen Rong answered calmly.
"This artifact can emit a powerful beam of light. At night, it can illuminate darkness more effectively than torches. If directed into a person's eyes, it can temporarily blind them."
Genghis Khan's interest deepened.
"Show me."
Chen Rong nodded and explained how to operate the flashlight. He then gestured for a nearby Mongol soldier to step forward.
"Please stand there."
The soldier obeyed, though he appeared slightly confused.
Genghis Khan pressed the switch.
Instantly, a brilliant beam of white light burst forth, cutting through the darkness like a blade.
The soldier cried out, raising his hands to shield his eyes. Startled, he stumbled backward and dropped to one knee, clearly unable to see.
"Enough," Chen Rong said gently, and the Great Khan turned off the light.
The soldier blinked repeatedly, still disoriented.
Genghis Khan burst into laughter.
"This is excellent! Far better than torches. Can it shine without end?"
Chen Rong shook his head respectfully.
"Great Khan, like all divine artifacts, it requires energy. If used continuously, the light will weaken.
When that happens, please return it to me. I will recharge it using the sun's energy."
He gestured vaguely toward his vehicle.
"The board on my carriage absorbs sunlight during the day. With it, I can restore the artifact's power."
Genghis Khan nodded slowly, clearly pleased.
"So when the light fades, I give it to you for one night, and afterward it will shine again?"
"The Great Khan is wise," Chen Rong replied.
"Very well." Genghis Khan held the flashlight with clear satisfaction. "I like this gift."
He turned the device on again, sweeping the beam across the tent entrance. The sudden brightness startled the guards outside, who instinctively shielded their eyes.
"This will be most useful at night," the Great Khan murmured.
After a moment, he looked back at Chen Rong.
"Your rewards will be delivered tomorrow. You may rest tonight.
You are free to move within the camp, but do not leave it. The lands beyond are not yet secure."
"Thank you, Great Khan," Chen Rong replied.
He bowed, then carefully collected his equipment—the drone, projector, and mobile phone—returning them to his vehicle.
After offering another respectful salute, he started the engine and drove away into the night.
The sound of the iron carriage gradually faded.
Inside the command tent, Genghis Khan turned toward Yelu Chucai.
"At first, you believed this man to be a fraud," he said. "Do you still think so?"
Yelu Chucai hesitated before answering.
"In the Central Plains, many people claim divine powers to deceive rulers.
I suspected he was one of them. But what we witnessed tonight… it is difficult to explain."
He paused.
If this person really used some folk trick to deceive Genghis Khan, he would expose him on the spot.
But I really couldn't find any flaws in what this man showed!
Even if he didn't believe it in his heart, he couldn't help but not believe it when the facts were in front of him.
"The flying iron bird, the self-moving carriage, the glowing device that displays images, and this luminous staff… none of these resemble ordinary crafts. I could find no flaw."
Genghis Khan nodded slowly.
"At first, I also doubted him. But after seeing these wonders, belief becomes difficult to deny."
He lifted the flashlight again, switching it on. The bright beam illuminated the tent interior as though daylight had returned.
"This is no trick of common craftsmen," he continued. "These objects do not belong to our world."
The guards outside once again turned their faces away from the intense light.
Yelu Chucai bowed slightly.
"Congratulations, Great Khan. If this man truly possesses such artifacts, he may bring great fortune to your campaigns."
Genghis Khan extinguished the light and smiled faintly.
"Whether he is blessed by gods or simply fortunate, it matters little. What matters is that he now serves under me."