Chapter 112: The Secret Plot

In reality, this was a cargo list. Several batches of goods would depart from different places and converge into a single convoy at a certain location, before continuing their journey. The list included strategic resources like black crystals and mithril, which could only be obtained through special channels, as well as a large quantity of second and third-tier origin guns—enough to arm an entire main division!

Although Song Zining had grown increasingly cold towards her over the past year, Ye Mublue had once held some power. The value of this cargo list was so great that it made her heart race; it was equivalent to the profits Ningyuan Heavy Industries would make in several years. With a sense of foreboding, she continued reading and found the final destination of these goods: Heiliu City.

Ye Mublue was no stranger to Heiliu City. In the past year, Song Zining had invested almost all his earnings there. Now, he intended to convert all his wealth into arms and send them to Heiliu?

She knew very well that there was only one reason for this: Qianye!

For a moment, thousands of thoughts tangled together in Ye Mublue’s mind. Amidst this confusion, she was surprised by her own composure. Her hands did not even tremble, leaving no creases on the cargo list.

Carefully, she returned the paper to its original place, adjusted its position, and then left the study, closing the door behind her. Afterward, Ye Mublue overturned the tray, sending the teacups and teapot crashing to the floor. She raised her voice, calling two maids to clean up, while she went to prepare new tea.

A short while later, when Ye Mublue returned with a fresh pot of tea, Song Zining had already come back from the garden and was reading at his desk. The cargo list was nowhere to be seen.

“Zining, the tea is here,” Ye Mublue said softly, pouring a steaming cup of emerald green tea. “This is the new tea from Junshan this year, and the water is from the same mountain spring. They complement each other perfectly, making the taste excellent.”

Song Zining took the teacup, sipped it, praised it, and then told Ye Mublue to put the teapot down. “You should go rest now. I need to read a bit more.”

However, Ye Mublue did not move. Summoning her courage, she said, “Zining, the Blood War has already begun, and the clan is in need of manpower. Shouldn’t we return? Staying here all the time is not a long-term solution!”

Song Zining smiled faintly and gently pointed to the ground. “Ningyuan Heavy Industries is my own foundation. This is the long-term plan. Why should we return to the clan?”

Ye Mublue became anxious. “But by doing this, aren’t you giving away the clan leader’s position?”

“I have an elder brother who is the heir.”

“Zining, you can’t say that. After this internal clan exam, everyone knows that none of your peers can match you. Song Zicheng only has the advantage of being older. If you continue to work hard, you might surpass him in the next assessment, and the clan leader’s position might still be within reach!”

Song Zining remained calm, waving his hand. “There’s no need to discuss this further. I have no interest in the clan leader’s position. Let the elder brother have it.”

“Zining!”

His expression turned cold, and he said sternly, “This is not something you should interfere with. Leave!” It was rare for him to raise his voice, but now, a palpable aura of authority filled the room, making it hard to breathe.

Ye Mublue bit her lip, lowered her head, and after a moment of silence, said softly, “Yes.” She turned and left the study.

Song Zining continued reading his book as if nothing had happened, as if there were untold riches and beauties within its pages.

As night fell, Ye Mublue quietly left the estate and walked through most of the small city before quickly entering a dark alley and knocking on a small door.

The door opened, revealing the beautiful face of Ye Muwei. Ye Mublue quickly slipped inside, closed the door, and cautiously observed the street outside through a peephole. Once she was sure everything was normal, she pulled Ye Muwei into the room.

“Mulan, I’ve been waiting for you for so long. Do you have any news?” Ye Muwei asked eagerly as they sat down.

“There is news, but the question is whether you can handle it.”

“Is it related to that boy?”

“It’s very related.”

Ye Muwei said, “Liyu has recently made many powerful friends, including some from that side. So, rest assured, we can handle any news.”

“That’s good,” Ye Mublue’s eyes flashed with coldness. “Recently, Ningyuan Heavy Industries has a convoy heading to Heiliu City. I want this convoy to never reach Heiliu!”

“Is this convoy important?”

“It’s Song Zining’s entire fortune. What do you think?”

Ye Muwei was shocked. “Mulan, we only want to take revenge on Qianye. This seems to harm Song Zining!”

Ye Mublue gritted her teeth. “I know! But Song Zining refuses to compete for the clan leader’s position and drags his feet on our marriage. What use is he to me?! He… he put me aside for a male pet, Qiqi!”

Ye Muwei was stunned.

Taking a deep breath, Ye Mublue calmed herself. “So, I not only want to hurt him, but I want him dead. If this convoy is destroyed, he will never recover.”

Ye Muwei patted her arm, soothingly. “Don’t worry. No matter how many guards Song Zining sends, Liyu will find a way to swallow it whole.”

“Good!” Ye Mublue nodded. “After the deed is done, I want half of it.”

“Well… I’ll discuss this with Liyu,” Ye Muwei said hesitantly. “If this convoy is as valuable as you say, the guard will be strong. You know, manpower and channels are costly.”

“At the very least, I want forty percent. That’s the minimum!” Ye Mublue insisted.

Ye Muwei looked at her, sighed, and said, “You’re right. We women always need to hold everything in our own hands to feel secure. There’s no man in the world we can truly rely on. I’ll talk to Liyu.”

Ye Mublue’s face was cold as she quietly shared the route and timing of the convoy, then hurriedly left.

As soon as the door closed, a secret door in the wall cabinet opened. Gu Liyu stepped out, sneering, “Your sister is indeed ruthless, greedy, and foolish. Other than her pretty face, she’s utterly useless. Does she think she can claim half of Song Zining’s fortune?”

“Liyu, do you think we can do this?” Ye Muwei frowned, deeply worried. “This involves the Song clan. Maybe we should back off?”

Gu Liyu snorted coldly. “What’s so special about the Song clan? Even if they are in decline, and with Song Zining’s performance in the last clan exam, it’s uncertain whether the clan will pursue or betray him. Don’t worry. I’ll get the Evernight people to handle this. Who will investigate in the dark lands? As for your sister, if she’s obedient, we can give her a little soup.”

Ye Muwei’s smile became stiff. “Liyu, you wouldn’t have any intentions toward Mulan, would you?”

Gu Liyu laughed. “It would be a beautiful story if the sisters were to join forces!” Seeing Ye Muwei’s forced smile, he softened his tone. “I’m just joking, Xiao Wei. I won’t let you down.”

Qianye left Heiliu City, taking the usual route through Yinyin Gorge, passing through Count Stuka’s territory, and venturing deeper into the Dark Nation.

The blood war zone in the west was now roughly defined, with the border of Count Stuka’s territory serving as the front line. Dark races and imperial soldiers fought fiercely along this line. Qianye was essentially infiltrating enemy territory, a very dangerous move. If discovered, he would be in a precarious situation without support.

However, Qianye was familiar with the surrounding area, a significant advantage that allowed him to move through the Dark Nation with ease.

He was currently traversing a desolate, uninhabited primeval forest. There were no settlements of any race, only native beasts, and even the patrols of the dark races avoided this place. Qianye leaped through the treetops, his feet barely touching the ground, minimizing his traces and avoiding wild beasts.

Suddenly, he heard faint commotion nearby. Intrigued, he stopped and listened, then moved stealthily toward the sound.

Moments later, he approached the source, a clearing in the forest where a dozen werewolves were digging furiously. In the center was a large pit, over ten meters square and more than a meter deep.

Several bloodsuckers stood by, watching and occasionally shouting at the werewolves. Qianye’s eyes glowed with a sapphire light as he scanned the dark races, noticing the strongest bloodsucker was only level seven.

So, Qianye moved closer.

He noticed a pile of human corpses in one corner, dressed in familiar garb. Beside them were two severed heads and a heap of ears, the typical military trophies of the dark races.

Several low-level bloodsuckers were counting and packing the ears, while the heads were placed in a more luxurious box, clearly of great importance. As they moved the heads, Qianye saw the faces and was shocked. They were Li Pei and his uncle!

He had just separated from them, and now Li Pei’s team was wiped out, with no survivors, including the level thirteen uncle.

Qianye felt a chill. In a typical encounter, it wasn’t easy to kill a level thirteen warrior unless the odds were overwhelmingly against them or they fought to the death. From the signs, there was no indication of a prolonged battle, so whoever killed Li Pei’s team must be immensely powerful.

This place was extremely dangerous!

Qianye immediately suppressed his aura and slowly retreated. He was patient, ensuring he did not reveal his presence.

At that moment, footsteps echoed from the opposite side of the forest. A tall bloodsucker, clad in ornate heavy armor, emerged from the trees and entered the clearing.

He wore a rare double-handed sword and carried two pistols at his waist. The armor bore a dark golden mandala pattern, indicating he was a warrior of the ancient Monro clan.