Chapter 72: A Chance Encounter

Wei Potian descended the steps of the headquarters building and stood a short distance away, stroking his stubbled chin thoughtfully. “It really is her. It seems the rumors are true; she has reclaimed her surname.”

Nangong Ling, with a frosty expression, could no longer hold back in front of Wei Potian. He let out a heavy snort and said coldly, “She dares to take the Nangong name?”

Wei Potian merely smiled and remained silent.

As soon as the name Nangong Xiaoniao was mentioned, more than half of the onlookers had strange expressions on their faces. The officers of the Third Legion all kept quiet, but the noble ladies didn’t care much, huddling together and whispering, occasionally casting glances at Nangong Ling.

“I think I’ve heard the name Nangong Xiaoniao somewhere before.”

“Isn’t she the one the Red Scorpion generals highly regarded, the one with the potential to become both a mechanical master and an array master?!”

“That must be very impressive then?”

“More than just impressive, extremely impressive! It’s said she’s already designing new floating warships.”

“Did you know? It’s said she has a grudge against the Nangong family and almost came to blows with them…”

“What happened? Tell us!”

Feeling the strange gazes from the noble ladies and hearing their whispers, Nangong Ling’s face turned red and pale with anger. But since none of the ladies gossiping about her had a background inferior to hers, it was impossible for her to lash out on the spot.

The noble ladies, aware that Nangong Ling always found ways to get close to Wei Potian, even managing to be alone with him several times, saw this as a perfect opportunity to annoy her. They didn’t hold back and instead spoke louder and louder.

Unable to bear it any longer, Nangong Ling said coldly, “I’m feeling unwell, I’ll go back now.”

Wei Potian, however, showed no intention of comforting her. He simply said, “Alright, then,” which made Nangong Ling stomp her foot and leave the Seventh Division headquarters in a huff.

At that moment, a lieutenant colonel from Dark Flame hurried over to take charge of arranging accommodations for Nangong Xiaoniao and the Red Scorpion soldiers she brought along.

As he watched the Red Scorpion group leave, Zhang Zixing frowned and muttered to himself, “This is going to be troublesome.”

The adjutant beside him, not quite understanding, asked, “General, even if there’s trouble, isn’t it the Red Scorpion’s problem? Aren’t we escorting Young Master Wei and the noble ladies back to Qinland in two days?”

Zhang Zixing, somewhat irate, replied, “The Red Scorpion always has casualties on their missions. How could they have extra hands to deal with this little trouble? I don’t care about An Shaonian’s life or death, but if anything happens to her, those old Red Scorpion guys will tear my house down! This is really annoying!”

Seeing Zhang Zixing’s bad mood, the adjutant dared not speak further. However, Zhang Zixing clearly found him annoying and suddenly said, “Go and ask the Red Scorpion how long Colonel Nangong plans to stay in Black Flow City and where she’s heading next. I’m giving you a battalion and a high-speed destroyer. You’re responsible for protecting her. If a single hair on her head is harmed, I’ll hold you accountable!”

The adjutant’s face immediately fell. This meant he couldn’t return with the main force. Few people wanted to stay in the perpetually dark Evernight. But seeing Zhang Zixing in a rage, he didn’t dare oppose and could only ask with a grimace, “General, how long… how long will this take?”

“Until she leaves Evernight!” Zhang Zixing coldly threw the words, crushing all hope for the adjutant.

For the rest of the day, Black Flow City was calm and busy. The departure of the noble ladies and their entourage, who had been bustling around the small border city for so long, brought a sigh of relief to the entire city.

Wei Potian’s mood remained sour. The military report from Dark Flame had reached him, stating that Qian Ye’s western campaign was going smoothly, and he had recently fought a battle with the demon baron, causing Stuka to retreat with serious injuries. But he had immediately led his troops to attack the werewolf viscount’s territory, making it unlikely he would return within two days.

The elusive Song Zining, who had disappeared for a few days, reappeared and was said to have mostly settled the matters at the expeditionary force’s headquarters. The next step was to go through various procedures to make Dark Flame fully legal.

Wei Potian was happy for Qian Ye, but looking at the radiant, dashing Song Qishen, he felt annoyed and pondered finding a way to get rid of him. However, considering that Qian Ye’s journey had just begun and the hidden concerns of his Zhao family background and Red Scorpion experience, he suppressed this tempting idea.

Song Zining didn’t care whether Wei Potian was in a foul mood. The resolution of the Dark Flame matter left him in high spirits. He stayed indoors every day, dedicating himself to calligraphy and painting, with his cultivation improving rapidly.

That morning, inspired, he wrote a mountain travel painting in one fluid motion. As the origin power glowed, the scenery on the paper seemed to come alive, with a winding stone path stretching towards the clouds, and frost-covered red maple leaves began to drift in the air.

“Dusk deepens,” Song Zining’s “Thousand Leaf Fluttering Technique” officially entered the intermediate sixth stage.

At that moment, Wei Potian stood behind him, watching the painting. Seeing the faintly glowing maple leaves, Wei Potian immediately recalled the heart-protective armor he had crafted for Qian Ye, and his face darkened. Suddenly, he extended his hand, and a yellow light revealed a dangerous peak, pressing down on the world in the painting.

Though Song Zining did not understand, seeing Wei Potian’s dark expression made him even happier. Ignoring his own painting, he let the two origin powers clash, turning the paper into a pile of ashes. Just as he was about to mock Wei Potian, a commotion came from outside.

Both men were startled and turned to look out the long window. They were in Qian Ye’s office at the Dark Flame base, and outside the south window was the parade ground leading to the main gate, where a crowd had gathered.

Today was the day Nangong Xiaoniao was scheduled to depart for Dark Blood City. She had heard from a Blood Scorpion Battalion soldier who arrived early that the lord of Black Flow City, the leader of the Dark Flame mercenary group, had recently acquired an origin array, which no one could decipher. He had even sought advice from the Red Scorpion and the Third Legion experts.

Curious about such things, she checked the time and realized the floating ship would be ready to depart in about an hour, just enough time to swing by Dark Flame. As she walked into the Dark Flame gate, she saw a group of people escorting a noble lady, Nangong Ling, coming toward her.

Nangong Ling was surprised to see Nangong Xiaoniao here and now, and her face hardened. Coldly, she said, “Get out of the way.”

Nangong Xiaoniao’s heart-shaped face puffed up, clearly angry. Clenching her fists, she snapped, “Who are you telling to get out of the way?”

“Obviously you, is there anyone else in front of me?”

The main road at the Dark Flame entrance was wide enough for war chariots, let alone two girls. But the two Nangong-named girls stood face to face, neither willing to budge.

“Why should I move for you?” Nangong Xiaoniao demanded angrily.

Nangong Ling raised her eyebrows and slowly approached Nangong Xiaoniao, saying, “Because of my status, and because you are nothing but a commoner, not even a member of the gentry!”

Nangong Xiaoniao shouted, “If it weren’t for your scheme, my grandfather would never have…”

Nangong Ling abruptly cut her off, “That was ages ago. Who knows what really happened, and what does it have to do with me? Nothing! So, I’m just telling you to move!”

Nangong Xiaoniao’s face turned bright red. In a verbal spat, she was clearly no match for Nangong Ling, and her words had nearly brought her to tears.

Their argument on the main road of Dark Flame immediately drew attention. The Dark Flame soldiers, already wary of these noble ladies, watched from a distance.

The noble ladies, who followed Wei Potian and Song Zining and often came to Dark Flame, emerged from various corners, pointing and whispering. Of course, they wouldn’t calm the situation; instead, they fanned the flames.

Nangong Xiaoniao suddenly wiped away the tears that were about to fall, staring at Nangong Ling, and said word by word, “I, will, not, move!”

Nangong Ling laughed, “You have the nerve to use the Nangong name and don’t even know the basics of etiquette. Well, I’ll teach you today!”

Nangong Ling suddenly swung her hand, aiming a slap at Nangong Xiaoniao’s face. Perhaps distracted, or maybe she hadn’t expected Nangong Ling to attack, Nangong Xiaoniao didn’t react in time. A loud smack rang out, and she was slapped solidly.

The noble ladies, including Nangong Ling herself, were shocked. She had only intended to intimidate Nangong Xiaoniao into moving, not to actually hit her.

Nangong Xiaoniao’s face instantly swelled, a clear handprint appearing. She covered her cheek, looked at Nangong Ling, and her eyes suddenly became calm. Slowly, she said, “You hit me?”

The Red Scorpion soldiers behind her were not as composed. After their initial shock, they quickly stepped forward, drawing their swords and pistols.

Nangong Ling’s heart trembled slightly. The Red Scorpion soldiers were seasoned veterans, and though not particularly high in rank, their aura carried a hint of blood. Yet, in front of everyone, she couldn’t back down. Gritting her teeth, she said, “So what if I hit you? Who told you to block the way?”

Nangong Ling’s maids and guards rushed forward, shielding her. One maid yelled, “Get out of the way! Imperial law is clear: commoners must yield to nobles. Are you going to defy the law?”

Nangong Xiaoniao ignored the maid, focusing on Nangong Ling and repeating, “You hit me?”

Nangong Ling’s expression stiffened, but she refused to back down. A minor setback was insignificant, but losing the Nangong family’s face was a different matter.

The Red Scorpion soldiers, blocked by Nangong Xiaoniao, were visibly furious, ready to attack at any moment. These soldiers were fierce and, regardless of Nangong Ling’s status, would draw blood if angered. They could always pay with their lives afterward.

One of Nangong Ling’s attendants, sensing the danger, quietly retreated and left. Though the family guards were arrogant, they didn’t dare be careless with the elite Red Scorpion soldiers. The attendant, being clever, went to seek help from the family’s martial experts.

Some onlookers, seeing the danger, quickly sent for Wei Potian, Song Zining, and Zhang Zixing. If the Red Scorpion and the Nangong family were to openly fight, it would be a significant incident. If things got out of hand, they would also be implicated.

The intense gazes of the crowd burned into Nangong Ling. Remembering the attitude of the elders in her family, she gritted her teeth, raised her chin, and said coldly, “You won’t move? Fine, I’ll slap you again!”

The maid pushed Nangong Xiaoniao, yelling, “A common scum, get out of the way!”

Just then, a loud voice sounded from outside the base gates, “Oh wow! So many people! Is this a welcome party for me?”