QiQi’s voice suddenly ceased. Qian Ye opened his mouth, only to find himself at a loss for words.
The two remained still, one seated and one standing, for a long while.
QiQi shifted slightly, leaning over the ornate low railing, and reached her hand into the pond, rippling the tranquil water surface beneath her. The enormous moonlit reflection within quivered gently, and waves soon spread outward engulfing the entire surface, causing a hundred shimmering moons to undulate around her feet. Mottled glows of light, woven from pale-blue and faint-white origin power, emerged over QiQi’s hands and wound upward along her forearms like drifting clouds diffusing all around.
At this moment, seeing only her profile, Qian Ye beheld the glittering brilliance in her enticing eyes, reminiscent of fallen fragments of stardust.
“I’m glad you’re all right,” QiQi murmured. “Rest early. I’ll find you again tomorrow.”
“All right,” QIan Ye acquiesced, turning to leave. As he arrived at the bank, he cast a backward glance. The silhouette of QiQi was still motionless, her aura continuing to swirl outward amidst flowing currents, as if resting atop swirling clouds.
Proceeding through the wisteria gates, Qian Ye stumbled upon Ji Yuanjia, his arms folded and body leaning against a column, apparently preoccupied by some distant contemplation on the garden bushes.
Stepping firmly toward him, Qian Ye declared bluntly, “I acted according to false intelligence—targeting a colony of dark-blooded races within the Eastern Mausoleum Mountains. My initial advance remained smooth, yet upon retreat was when our forces crossed paths with massive movements from their main dark-blood corps amidst a routine surveillance. Discovering our passage, my choices for escape became limited to fleeing through a mountain pass near the ancient earthen stronghold.”
Ji Yuanjia betrayed no surprise. “Had there been no misjudgment regarding your combat proficiency by a certain person, Company 131 would’ve never made it out through these mountains. A full-fledged battle along the Eastern Range was about to break out, into which multiple special operative teams began infiltrating covertly—Company 131 being less seasoned than our elites, it was you they were most likely to have identified first.”
“A Third Army battalion of Military Police was dispatched toward the camp to confiscate most of Comapny 131’s documents. Was that under the command of the same man?”
Silent but smiling, Ji Yanjia murmured, “Regarding operations intended at trapping you specifically, he didn’t pursue perfection. Still, he made sure no clear evidence linked himself directly to this maneuver—he wasn’t aiming toward open confrontation against your patroness quite yet. His stratagem unfolded in meticulously entwined strokes throughout the greater scheme at hand, even devising a contingency to maintain stability after its fallout. Thus, through officially fabricated records, Company 131 now belonged within advance combat battalions, preventing the casual waste of any reinforced infantry units under the 17th Legion; rather than falsely implicating you for reckless aggression, rewarding you with battlefield achievements and posthumously honoring fallen soldiers seemed wiser. Higher-ups in the Imperial Military would disregard which specific terrain a company should occupy in a report—as long as their claimed achievements bore authenticity—these details mattered little.”
He paused briefly, smirking scornfully: “‘Even if unsuitable actions emerged within 131 or its movements contradicted its positioning during crucial moments—it’d still pass unchecked.”
QIAn Ye maintained silence briefly before asking, “Which leaves the question—what means exist against that man if there were no tangible, undeniable proofs?”
Ji Yuangja maintained calm yet chilled, icy tone: “That’s the problem—there remains no immediate means against such an enforcer. However…his hands won’t reach this far again.”
With Ji Yuanjia’s implication heavy with bloodshed, Qianye pondered deeper. The orchestrating mind here was truly no amateur. It had required more deception and collaboration beyond falsified intelligence—131’s dispatches and their communication runners having gone unanswered suggested coordinated, multiple interventions. Even considering how strengthened palace defenses reflected recent purges inside her court, all remnants entwined conspiratorially around her were possibly erased.
“So,” asked Qian Ye at last. “Tell me—who is this foe you’re protecting her so intensely from?”
Ji Yuanjia met his gaze with unwavering intensity: “You know who already—you are unprepared for action though.”
Frowning but restrained, Qian Ye opened his mouth to counter as Ji cut in directly: “Your opponent is Lady QiQi’s fiancé—to even harm his name while he remains within her circle is to earn a price on your head issued by Lord Yin’s family—a fate no assassin wishes to face. Besides, you couldn’t kill this man yourself. Most of his time transpires inside the empire’s military central headquarters. Such sanctum is inaccessible to even the blackest of shadows. Should he ever slip outside Upper Continental territory, tracking even the most minute whispers of his whereabouts would prove arduous indeed. Even assuming I were his equal during a fair duel—an honest contest against one possessing the skills and reflexes of Gu Liyu? The probability of prevailing might approach 70%. Still—the likelihood to outright murder the scum is below 30%.”
Firmly replying Qianyé stated with solemnity: “Yet never should the world assume impossibility.”
Ji Yunaajia remarked: “Indeed. Not with swords or knives alone.”
Caught by an underlying implication lingering in his statement, QIAn Ye glanced again at Ji Yuanijia’s calm disposition—sensing a chilling revelation:”Wait—you yourself…!”
Placing complete clarity into voice and expression, Ji continued, “I used once to imagine otherwise, hoping she’d remain ever-faithful to herself—the way she’d be unrestrainedly bold—yet without the burden to grasp ultimate authority… such dreams are idle fantasies.” His gaze settled. “That is why… from now on… I will obey Lady Qiqi’s path with the unflinching loyalty and precision of but her sharpest blade forged anew within her grasp!”
Long past his return, QIan Ye remained musing over those words, weighing the last phrase from Ji Yuangija’s confession.
At core, QiQi’s ongoing strife against Gu Liyu was but an internal contest for ruling influence and dominance—yet bound within greater political struggles over family heir designation and divided branch loyalties, with intersecting yet differing interests—thus shaping complex webs of equilibrium amidst conflict.
Despite limited interactions QIAn Ye retained vague impressions that the usually retreating Ji—was hardly one chasing personal political gains. Such hesitation was vivid amid conflict with someone as headstrong as Ye Mubai. To suddenly commit this explicitly, the shift unsettled Qian Ye—leaving him to reflect… What had become his own road after his own present tasks? With this mission concluding…
A messenger came at noon the following day summoning QIan Ye toward Lady QiQi’s study.
When arriving, Lady QiQi stood writing diligently at her long work desk—replicating the exact same hanging scroll on the wall that read “Unhesitant Resolution To Kill.”
On hearing QIan Yi entering, Lady QiQi flung away her brush with flourish—her eyes glowing in brilliance—rekindled by that alluring expression as she cast any lingering memories of that prior melancholic, fragile self, dissolved like moonlit water vanishing in the morning dawn. Walking boldly toward QIan Yi, she slapped his shoulder joyfully.
“That mission secured remarkable accolades for our side—it surprised a lot of folks—including myself!”.
“Accolades?” he muttered thoughtlessly—he had only been immersed in blood over several nights battling endlessly with enemy hordes, nearly numbed by carnage’s endless procession.
Laughing joyfully while counting aloud on her long fingers: “Take this number: Five 6th-tier elite deaths! Twenty-three 5th-Tiers—Over One Hundred Four-and-below grade warriors killed alongside over three thousand low-tier soldiers. Even for the 131th along with the Expeditionary Corps regulars—you truly believe a small force like that can possibly match this figure in combat alone?”
He remained silent—he understood well enough the real capabilities of the reinforced forces. If they merely reached about half expected, normal results would satisfy already.
“This can’t be the true toll,” skepticism colored his reply.
“These are the Dark Clans’ verified tally themselves—do you see the point?”
A subtle realization jostled his awareness, making Qianye reexamine the scope of these great households and imperial intelligence networks—how deep the penetration really ran into rival nations. Just how thoroughly had their influence been sown against those darkness-born adversaries?
“And most of those high-ranking warriors…you took them down directly?”
He hesitated… Could he honestly acknowledge that so many fourth tiered fighters and higher were eliminated primarily via himself? Yet, the sheer numbers sounded beyond what even seasoned fifth-rank soldiers might attain. Even an enhanced sniper operating via high-caliber, long-range marksmanship with support squad would struggle to accumulate this count.
“You helm the hundredth battle company—one should expect such efficiency, yes?” the lady persisted.
With a deep breath: “Assisted by sufficient supply of Hawkfire Rounds, I’d managed—now yes. And also…” he paused. “I have indeed recently passed into the Fifth-rank myself too.”
Watching him with eyes narrowed, she examined every muscle’s response before finally laughing softly again as she turned to whisper in his ears—causing an almost shiver-inducing sensation.
“A Hawkfire Rifle couldn’t accomplish that—something hides here between you. Something, yet unspoken.”
That whisper sent tingles through him—amplified by supernatural senses unique to a pure-royalty bloodline like him as every exposed pore quivered against the soft, warm exhalation flowing like liquid fire past his ear canals.
Shoving half-step backwards in discomfort, she caught herself—then shouted authoritatively, “Don’t move one bit—Answer me honestly now. You hold more secrets, don’t make me pry this stubborn chest out brick by bloody brick!”
He hesitated longer. “N-No.”
“No…No?”
“N-Nothing at all.”
Finally he reacted instinctively, using a flick of his body’s speed vanishing five meters away: “Enough! You expect answers from silence?”
Adjusting wayward strands slipping past her hair ribbon casually, she grinned. “Of course, even I know wanderers under the Eternal Night cling jealously to personal secrets. But truly—in this world? None among our circle would care… However, I imagine your constitution sustained grievous strain on the raid—I will request Dugrave to check for possible lingering injuries; such unnoticed matters sometimes slow subsequent development steps.”
With a brief clap, her signal sent an old side gate opening. An elder small, wrinkled yet oddly formidable in presence walked toward them.
He stared, startled again—at Dugrave the formidable Grandmaster! Such an authority’s presence might spell ruin for even hidden dark blood within his body—unless his concealmental gift proved more effective beyond current expectations. Trapped between dilemma’s jaws, declining would imply weakness—a risk he could ill afford. So, summoning his composure, QIanyi feigned outward serenity—his bloodline’s stealthy powers activating subtly within. His blood itself began drawing within, deep past arteries, like slumbering dragons curling unseen within the most secret chambers of heart.
Then the aged doctor murmured a deep-throated “hmmph”—raising a withered hand as sudden orbs—sparkling of blue-white energy lit each fingertip—five radiant gems of light. With a deft flick, the lights whirled forth—one by one encircling him in orbiting formation. Vibrations pulsed with droning hums—a resonance spreading inside his body in resonance with its latent power signature.
Gradually a constellation flickered alight—one by one along the five nodes across his frame. His very being appeared ghostly translucent for the others to observe the inner glow tracing every circuitry of his origin energy flows like ethereally drifting mists.
Even to QIan Yi such visibility of his own energetic matrix astounded as never witnessed before himself either.
Then noticing both old men and lady staring obsessively at his chest, he too glanced curiously downward, witnessing something shocking: a blazing center of intense light burning within his sternum, orbited by spiraling arcs tracing ancient spiralic paths across the heart center.
Finally, after minutes of observing silently—Old Du exhaled a prolonged breath:
“Lady QiQi…Rest assured—he bears NO hidden internal injuries—whatsoever.”
Still fixated upon QIan Yi’s radiant breast node—Lady QiQi murmured,
“This…could resemble the signs of a potential war-king?”
Shrugging wryly: “Almost similar, but not quite exact. His node, however—the burden upon reaching its lighting might require overcoming a threshold ten times tougher beyond a normally-developing martial prodigy’s struggle.”
He chuckled grimly:
“Hard to believe he truly made it past the gate—it’ll only accelerate afterward. Below Rank Nine, no block awaits him anymore.”
Eyes gleaming in a different fashion:
“Then what say you of the War-Lord threshold?”
Smiling bitterly, he answered:
“Lady—now you challenge a weary man far too hard… Few among all the old techniques left even permit assessment past War-Lord tiers—only the legendary Da Yan Celestia Divination Method comes close enough for certainty.”
Clearly disillusioned:
“Then where shall I find some practitioner well versed in such a method?”
Then she fixed an expectant look toward QIan Yi:
“Well then, allow me a suggestion—I intend to charm Lord QiKi into indulgence soon, requesting he arrange formal audiences granting me opportunity alongside Lin Xitang’s Grand Marshall of Imperial Armies. And then—he will grant you the assessment yourself—understanding of such rare potentials only possible at such echelons.”
Caught flat-footed:
“Such an honor…though Lin’s Commanding General holds great stature…Would he find such duties fitting for someone of Lady QiQi?”
“You’ll not talk of reluctance! Now hush…” she cut-in merrily as she squeezed encouragingly once more before releasing her grip toward QIan Yi’s shoulder—then turned addressing Dugrave:
“Is he exhibiting greater volume than usual?”
“I’ll give you that! Exceed twice beyond! Its nature remains as dense as mountains—roots so deeply established within training. Such an existence… truly seldom met…yet I perceive he adheres strictly to the War-Hymnic Art without signs of learning further refined martial arts.”
Curious now:
“War-Hymnic Art? Then tell me—you endured up to how many Origin Tide pulses?”
Musing inwardly before honestly declaring: “Thirty pulses”
QiQi sighed loudly, “Only *thirty*? Then only another ‘common’ War-King. I would’ve thought thirty-seven or thirty-eight.”
Saying nothing further Qian Ye opted for silent contemplation.
The sheer underestimation surprised even Old Du somewhat.
Clearing his throat:
“Indeed—the Art provides premier techniques among soldiers under the Warlords for its rapid strength-generating traits—surpassing the Twentieth Tidal Cycle qualifies even the most prestigious units, attaining ranks of Commanders-in-Chief over elite Legions. Should anyone surpass its Fortieth Cycle, only an eventual destiny of supreme command awaited across the battlefields under heaven.”
“Reaching Fiftieth… only Grand Commandant Zhang Boqian and a handful shared in the glory.”
“Oh hush, already!” QiQi rushed before turning toward QIan Yi: “You’ll need better knowledge on martial arts than relying solely on War-Hymnics! Besides, while its origin comes ascribed to Founding Sage Taizu and revised later by Wu Master—this martial discipline carries a terrible cost… By the culmination at Tier Nine, it risks shatter upon one’s own vessel from sheer power buildup during tidal cycles alone… All practitioners—including Commandant must seek a higher alternative eventually!”
Then shifting sideways she suddenly embraced him warmly like a best-friend conspiring together.
“Hey…yet you actually achieved 30 full tide rotations! Thirty cycles of the war art—no mean feat—considering your lineage.”
Curiosity piqued again:
“What led you to wander so far afield from capital—taking a mundane ranger’s humble path deep in Dark Blood Domain? Come on—who did you get pregnant in some High-Lady’s chamber that forced you into hiding among back-ways hunting game?”
Qan Yi responded dryly at this over-leveled guess. Such unpredictability always made anticipating her words an impossible endeavor.
Smiling again more cunning with her eyes now twinkling in devious delight, she pipped:
“Speaking which—an urgent matter requires your assistance… Soon, I must proceed home—to Qin Mainland—joining within Sky Mysterious Spring-Hunting Ceremony.”
“This annual tradition contributes toward my Heir Competence Examination, thus my next mission requires accompanying me—while guarding faithfully throughout.”
*Sky Mystery Hunting? A grand game-hunt, perhaps? Protecting*… He disregarded further her tendency of mixing terms of command casually at random—he’d have cause more than once later for re-assessing her choice of “guard duties”—each instance far trickier than he imagined initially.
After slight hesitation remembering another matter:
“By the way… did you review all those letters I handed over recently?”
Anticipative eyes gleamed. “Oh yes… Speaking of your request regarding rewards…” Her smile turned enticing again.
“How’s about—in exchange—for this assignment, granting you a personal elite technique belonging traditionally to Yin’s noble house’s family art archives—long overdue for replacing that ancient War-Hymnic training, surely? You’d accept?”
Basking in her sun-kissed allure now radiant far more intensely than the ghostly pale glow of her weepy moon-tingeled silhouette under evening water pavilion nights—caught off-balanced with another emotional waver before steadying:
“Mm—This truly is…your final exam step for your Heirship test, isn’t it?”
“I shall not neglect my responsibilities.”
Later that evening—delivered to QIan Yi’s residence in a courier’s hands—the newly restored array of battle-grade armaments—arrived accompanied with a sizable bundle of pre-Spring Hunt briefing dossiers tied together in thick pages of information. On top of this lay open at the index—an unexpectedly recognizable name—Son Zilin.
His breath caught for a moment.
Then…his finger closed gently on the paper…reading onward…
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage