Just like now, when Zhao Junhong inappropriately paused to greet, it might be seen as a spectacle by other noble youths, but for him, it wasn’t necessarily an intentional embarrassment.
Song Ziqi had to calm himself and put on a smile, taking up the conversation from Zhao Junhong. Song Zining, ever the skilled diplomat, made his brief greetings as pleasant as a spring breeze.
Thus, the tense standoff instantly transformed into a cordial reunion of noble scions. Yet, Song Ziqi, having just suffered a setback, had to swallow his pride, and his inner feelings were anything but pleasant.
Qian Ye watched the three chat amiably from behind, admiring the high-born youths’ ability to hide their true intentions. Even Song Ziqi, who had initially appeared aggressive, now exuded the refined demeanor of the Song Clan, speaking with elegance and grace.
Qian Ye sensed someone watching him. Looking up, he suddenly noticed that everyone in the vicinity had fallen silent, all looking in the same direction.
Somehow, there was now an additional person beside the central carriage of the Zhao Clan’s convoy.
The individual was extremely young, tall and graceful. At first glance, his appearance was as beautiful as any maiden, radiant enough to shine, but upon closer inspection, it was as cold as ice, seemingly ready to cut through one’s gaze.
He walked straight toward Qian Ye, ignoring everyone else, while the Song Clan soldiers involuntarily parted to let him pass. Suddenly, a warrior screamed in agony, collapsing to the ground, blood seeping between his fingers covering his eyes.
No one knew how the soldier had been injured, and the two nearby warriors, recognizing the young man, looked terrified and dared not assist him.
Song Ziqi’s face paled. How could this ominous figure be here!
This person, more beautiful than most women, hated any mention of his looks. In the ancient academy in the capital, almost half the students had been beaten by him for this reason, even the sons of royal princes were not spared. Song Ziqi’s subordinate must have unknowingly revealed something offensive, and his eyes were now surely blinded.
Though Song Ziqi had advanced to the rank of war general, he had no desire to confront this person. He dared not!
Cursing his unlucky subordinate, he was racking his brain for what to say when Zhao Junhong unexpectedly turned, calmly saying, “My fourth brother is a bit hasty, he just wants to meet Song Qi.”
Zhao Jundu stopped ten steps away, removing his glasses, his dark eyes slowly glowing with a purple mist, “Song Zining?”
Qian Ye’s expression darkened, stepping forward, only to be pulled back by Song Zining.
Violet flames flickered into existence in mid-air, occupying the four corners, then splitting into two. Each violet flame transformed into a pillar, rising and encircling Song Zining.
Domain: Sealing the Four Corners!
This was the strongest domain of the “Western Extreme Violet Aura,” originally an ability for a war general. In the current Zhao Clan, only Zhao Jundu had mastered it.
Song Zining’s gentle smile never wavered, “It’s me.”
With a muffled boom, countless flower petals fell from the void, like a sudden storm, falling fast and fierce, blocking the violet pillars outside.
Song Ziqi, momentarily choked by Zhao Junhong’s words, nearly gasped at the scene. Starting with domains, were the Zhao brothers sure they weren’t here for revenge?
Reacting quickly, he seized the opportunity, “Brother Junhong, please make yourself at home. I have an appointment, so I’ll take my leave. When you reach Wending Manor, do visit Yunguan Hall, and let me show you my hospitality.” After finishing the formalities, Song Ziqi promptly left with his subordinates.
Zhao Junhong glanced at his retreating figure and dismissed him. The Song Clan’s heirs were indeed true merchants, adaptable to the situation, though sometimes overly so, to the point of being despised.
At this moment, the Zhao Clan’s convoy and Song Zining’s soldiers also received orders to retreat, leaving only the four of them facing each other.
Zhao Jundu extended his hand, a leaf’s shadow was drawn to him, solidifying in his palm before being crushed into dust. His face was as cold as glacial rock, his voice devoid of warmth, “Is this kind of effeminate trickery all that a graduate of the Netherworld can manage?”
Song Zining raised an eyebrow; few in the Song Clan knew he had trained at the Netherworld. Was Zhao Jundu probing about him or Qian Ye?
“The Netherworld isn’t as terrifying as the legends claim,” Song Zining finally dropped his amiable expression, revealing a sinister smile, “As a high-born heir, my identity guaranteed my survival.”
He enunciated the words “high-born heir” slowly and clearly, and the purple in Zhao Jundu’s eyes deepened.
The Netherworld, one of the empire’s four secret training bases, was known for its extreme jungle law, where the attrition rate was said to be ninety-nine percent. How did Qian Ye survive?
Zhao Jundu took a deep breath, abandoning verbal sparring, “Qian Ye cannot be your champion in the life-or-death arena. If you change opponents, I will double the compensation for any losses. Otherwise, you needn’t participate in the examination.”
Zhao Jundu was well aware of the content of the Song Clan’s inheritance examination. Recognizing Qian Ye, he immediately realized that his presence on Song Clan territory was solely as a guest warrior.
Silent until now, Qian Ye spoke, “Zining is my brother. We’ve fought together in battles, a mere arena fight is nothing.” His tone was flat, devoid of emotion, simply stating a fact.
Zhao Jundu’s icy demeanor momentarily changed, and Zhao Junhong sighed, wanting to speak but unsure of what to say.
Song Zining smiled faintly, “Young Master Zhao, you’re implying I’m using Qian Ye. But that child, with just a bit less luck, would have long since turned to bones. So many years have passed, and now you bring this up—do you truly have no ulterior motives?”
The killing intent in Zhao Jundu’s eyes surged, the violet flames began to converge.
Song Zining’s face paled, and he waved his hand in the air, freezing the flying flowers and leaves, the edges flashing with a blade-like chill.
A domain clash was straightforward, revealing strength and weakness, life and death.
Suddenly, Qian Ye moved, punching the violet flames. As he struck, silence enveloped everything, followed by a rising roar, growing louder like thunder, finally like a galloping horde.
Qian Ye’s punch shook Zhao Jundu’s sealing domain. Simultaneously, Song Zining seized the moment, causing the leaves and flowers to form a massive whirlwind, slamming into the violet pillars.
With a thunderous boom, a primal force storm clashed and swirled, sending stray leaves, flowers, and tiny violet flames plummeting like meteors.
Suddenly, a clear sword sound echoed, eight silver blades slicing through the storm, shattering the remaining primal force, a move by Zhao Junhong. The second wave cleared the residual energy entirely.
All four staggered back.
Zhao Jundu’s face briefly lost color, then returned to normal. The other three, however, remained pale. Zhao Junhong, intervening on both sides, had created a stalemate.
Qian Ye quietly looked at Zhao Jundu, then nodded in thanks to Zhao Junhong, and silently left with Song Zining.
After watching them depart, Zhao Junhong softly said, “Fourth brother, have you considered that he’ll hate us once he knows the truth?”
Zhao Jundu remained silent for a long time, then slowly said, “But I will not allow others to tell him falsehoods.”
Zhao Junhong hesitated, “Song Zining isn’t that kind of person.”
Song Zining, of course, knew nothing of the Zhao Clan’s secrets, and even they had unresolved doubts. But as fellow aristocrats, Song Zining might have guessed something. However, Qian Ye’s reaction seemed too calm, not like someone who had heard rumors.
Zhao Junhong knew that his fourth brother had once suspected Qian Ye of avenging the death of Zhao Youping, the city defense commander. The investigation, however, revealed that the Zhao Clan’s business had been involved in murder and robbery.
Zhao Jundu was furious. Though the culprits died, their families were harshly punished. This misunderstanding had likely disturbed Zhao Jundu even more.
Zhao Jundu closed his eyes, reopening them with his purple irises returned to black.
Putting on his glasses, he spoke, “Song Qi is unremarkable in the Song Clan, but in reality, his power is significant, mostly outside the family. This man is deeply cunning, yet he deliberately approaches Qian Ye. Who knows his true intentions?”
Zhao Junhong asked, “Who wanted to kill him back then?”
Zhao Jundu coldly replied, “One, some, or all of those old bastards, stirring chaos!”
Zhao Junhong sighed inwardly. Zhao Jundu, extremely wise from a young age, had turned these events into an obsession.
“Fourth brother, no matter what, I stand by you.”
“Thank you, Second Brother.”
“No need for words, we are brothers.”
Meanwhile, their half-brother was equally perplexed. Qian Ye, after a long silence, finally asked, “What happened back then?”
Song Zining, leaning back in his seat, still pale, opened his eyes weakly, “This is a closely guarded secret even within the Zhao Clan. How could I know the details? Any guess could mislead you.”
Qian Ye smiled bitterly, “Must I ask Zhao Jundu?”
“Confronting this is inevitable, sooner or later.” Song Zining said, “At least Zhao Jundu has no ill will; otherwise, I wouldn’t have walked out of his domain. Neither of us is his match right now.”
Qian Ye detected a hint in Song Zining’s words, frowning, “Just him?”
“Mm, add Zhao Junhong. In high-born families, even blood relatives may not be united. Without certainty, trust no one.” Song Zining said this with a chilling calm.
At the end of the road, the foot of Cloud Mountain lay ahead. As Qian Ye stepped out, a magnificent landscape unfolded before him.
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