A short while later, two heavily loaded trucks arrived at the Darkflame’s gate. The vehicles were filled with the members of the Nangong Team, each of them injured and bound tightly. There were even a few corpses among them.
Song Hu finally understood that Song Zining was asking him to set up an interrogation chamber. However, he could not help but be shocked; even though Song Zining had recently become a battle general, how could he so swiftly capture the entire Nangong Team? It was as if he had swept through them effortlessly.
In a few moments, the preparation for the interrogation chamber was complete.
It could no longer be called an interrogation chamber; it was more of a judgment hall. With over thirty people from the Nangong Team and five corpses to accommodate, in addition to Song Hu’s concern for Song Zining’s safety, he arranged an entire company of the most elite warriors as guards. With so many people crammed into one place, they finally cleared out the largest meeting hall at the Darkflame headquarters to properly fit everyone.
Only when everything was ready did Song Zining appear, escorted by several young and beautiful maidens. He walked leisurely, took measured steps, ascended the dais, and sat down calmly. The attendants immediately served tea, pastries, and fruits, bustling about tirelessly.
From his elevated position, Song Zining glanced down at the group below and asked indifferently, “Who are these people tied up down there?”
This rhetorical question instantly enraged the Nangong Team.
The leader, furiously, said, “Song Zining! If you’re going to kill, just do it. I, Nangong Kang, won’t even frown. Why humiliate us like this? Your Song Clan may be powerful, but my Nangong Family is not to be bullied either!”
Song Zining smiled again, popped a piece of fruit into his mouth, and said, “I don’t think the Song Clan is that powerful. If it were, how could we have been pushed around by you?”
Nangong Kang’s face changed, and he said, “Seventh Young Master, that’s not right. We have never offended the Song Clan.”
Song Zining pointed to the ground and smiled, “Better late than never. I own a share of this place. You smashed my property and killed my people. Isn’t that bullying the Song Clan?”
Nangong Kang’s face changed once more. They didn’t know that Song Zining had a stake in Darkflame. However, the Nangong Family had fully aligned with the Emperor’s faction, daring to offend even the Zhao Clan, so the Song Clan wasn’t much of a threat. Moreover, in Nangong Kang’s view, Song Zining was merely looking for a pretext to extort some benefits.
He sneered, “This is indeed a secret. But Seventh Young Master is right, better late than never. Since Seventh Young Master has already captured us, he can negotiate with the Nangong Family. Whether it’s money or land, just say it. I’m sure the Patriarch will give you a satisfactory answer.”
Song Zining smiled and shook his head, “Why make it so complicated? I’m getting old, and my memory isn’t good. I prefer to settle scores on the spot! Song Hu, how many of our people died?”
Song Hu replied, “Seventh Young Master, seventeen in total.”
“Alright, I’ve killed five of theirs, leaving twelve short. Pick any twelve and cut off their heads! Use my knife, it’s sharp.” As he spoke, Song Zining unfastened his blade and tossed it to Song Hu.
Even though Song Hu had been through many significant events, his face couldn’t help but change. Killing twelve minor warriors was trivial for someone of Song Zining’s status, but publicly executing them was entirely different—it was tantamount to declaring war on the Nangong Family!
Such madness was hard for Song Hu to believe, especially coming from the Seventh Young Master, who was known for his deep-minded and impeccable conduct. But the order had been given, and he had to obey. Song Hu drew the blade and went behind the Nangong warriors, beheading them in quick succession.
Covered in blood, Song Hu returned to Song Zining and said, “Seventh Young Master, the heads are severed, here is your sword back!”
Song Zining snapped open his fan, covering his face, and waved his hand, “Take it away, take it away! Look at the mess, all that blood. I hate seeing blood!”
Hearing this, Song Hu was stunned, while the young maids tittered, covering their mouths. These young girls Song Zining kept seemed quite formidable, managing to remain calm even in such a gruesome scene.
Below, Nangong Kang’s eyes bulged, struggling fiercely, and roared, “Song Zining! You dare kill my brothers. One day, I will dismember you, crush your bones to dust! As long as I live, you won’t sleep peacefully!”
Song Zining feigned surprise, “What… what should I do?” He then showed a frightened expression and said slowly, “I guess I’ll have to ask you to die too.”
As he spoke, a maple leaf outlined by origin power appeared in his hand.
A sudden shout came from outside the window, “Stop!”
But Song Zining acted as if he hadn’t heard it. The maple leaf shot out like lightning, and Nangong Kang’s head flew high into the air.
“You dare!” The person outside the window, both shocked and furious, didn’t expect Song Zining to act so decisively. It was too late to stop him.
The long window opened without a breeze, and a young man entered. His sharp gaze fixed on Song Zining, and he said, word by word, “I’ve heard of a talented Zining Junior Brother in our generation, and today I see that your methods are also impressive. But do you think acting so ruthlessly leaves room for future reconciliation?”
Zining smiled with poise, “My achievements pale in comparison to Senior Brother’s. Xu Lang is the top candidate for the past few years in the Yellow Spring. Don’t tease me. You see, I can’t even stand the sight of blood. How could I be ruthless?”
Xu Lang was momentarily speechless, his face turning grim. Song Zining, who had just casually ordered the execution of over a dozen people and decapitated another, now claimed to be afraid of blood—a pretense taken to the extreme.
Song Zining snapped open his fan and laughed, “Are you saying these people are related to Senior Brother?”
Xu Lang didn’t bite, seeing the obvious trap.
He snorted sarcastically, “High-clan disciples, indeed, unique. But I heard Junior Brother only has a small share in Darkflame. For such a trifling profit, offending the Nangong Family—was it worth it? Junior Brother, it’s better not to step forward and take the blame for others!”
Xu Lang’s words were clearly threatening, but Song Zining dismissed them with a smile, “The struggles between noble families are complex. Senior Brother, you’ve come a long way from nothing. It’s better not to get involved in this mess. I’m here today, and I doubt you’d dare to attack. Even if I’m not your match, I have brothers and elders. The Song Clan has many skilled fighters, and they aren’t just eating for free. Someone will pay you back. If Senior Brother wants to teach me a lesson, wait a few years!”
Xu Lang’s face darkened, and he sneered, “Noble family disciples, truly great in spirit! Is relying on numbers and swarming the only thing you can do?”
Song Zining laughed merrily, waving his fan, “That’s the best part of being from a noble family. Use it while you can!”
Seeing Song Zining’s shamelessness and the near-decimation of the Nangong Family, Xu Lang, despite his anger, had nowhere to vent. His face icy, he said, “Zining, indeed, well-played. But others don’t have your background, especially Qian Ye. In the future, be extra careful.”
Song Zining chuckled, “Senior Brother means that pest, Qian Ye? No problem. If you encounter him, feel free to teach him a lesson. Honestly, I’ve disliked him for a long time.”
Xu Lang grunted, knowing he wouldn’t win a verbal battle, and turned to leave, vanishing in an instant.
After Xu Lang left, the room suddenly saw a flurry of activity as Darkflame warriors fell in heaps, struggling to get up. The pressure from Xu Lang had been so intense that the warriors could barely stand. Once the pressure was gone, they collapsed, only the stronger officers remaining unscathed.
Song Hu was also shocked. Xu Lang, so young, had unfathomable strength. It seemed even Song Zining was at a disadvantage in front of him, only able to protect himself but not the entire hall.
“Seventh Young Master, what should we do with the rest of them?”
Song Zining still smiled lightly, glancing over the Nangong Family members below, and said, “I wanted to keep a few to send a message to Nangong Yuanbo. But since Senior Brother came, there’s no need. Kill them all!”
“But… isn’t that too harsh?” Song Hu was shocked and cautiously added, “Seventh Young Master, this kind of killing is too cruel. It won’t look good. Also, after this, we’ll have to fight the Nangong Family for real.”
Song Zining smiled faintly, finally dropping the frivolity, “Not cruel. I’m not as soft-hearted as Qian Ye. This time, I want them to know that with me here, Darkflame is a one-way street—in, but not out!”
“And the Nangong Family’s army…”
Song Zining calmly said, “If they dare come, I dare fight. I’ll show them my military prowess.”
“Seventh Young Master’s abilities are indeed excellent,” a maid giggled.
Song Zining laughed heartily, “I’m not being modest. In terms of leading troops, even Qian Ye is no match for me.”
Another maid, curious, asked, “Have you ever faced Qian Ye, Seventh Young Master?”
“Of course not in real combat. But I’ve run simulations in the sandbox multiple times, and the result is always the same.”
“What result?” Everyone, including the maids and Darkflame warriors, was curious. To Song Hu, Song Zining was undoubtedly a genius, but Qian Ye, with whom he had spent a long time, was becoming more and more unpredictable. If these two were to face each other, the outcome was uncertain.
Facing the curious gazes, Song Zining snapped his fan shut, exuding a grand aura, “Of course, I used my troops like a god, advancing straight and crushing Qian Ye’s pest army. Then…”
“Then what?” Everyone asked in unison.
Song Zining gritted his teeth, “Then that pest single-handedly broke through the central army and took my head!”
By midday, the bodies of the Nangong Team were hung on wooden racks for public display in Blackflow City. The various factions in the city quieted down, lying low, not daring to move.
Everyone knew something was amiss with Qian Ye’s prolonged absence. Yet, with Qian Ye gone and Song Zining here, things became even more difficult. With Song Zining’s current status, if any commoner or noble offended him, he would simply kill them. Even the Nangong Family, having been wiped out, left others with little hope.
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