The man with snow-white teeth bared a sinister smile, as an ineradicable gloom shadowed his refined eyebrows and eyes. Cold as a snake, he teased slightly while saying, “A bunch of mercenaries? No big deal.”
Thinking momentarily, Nangong Yuanbo said again, “Don’t provoke the Expeditionary Army excessively; they’re strong yet. Additionally, if opportunities arise, bring back little birdie, but be thorough and clean. Do you understand?”
With an odd grin expanding further on his face, he answered, “Of course!” A locally recruited regiment outside the jurisdiction of a field army meant nothing; however, something altogether different applied to Scorpion Crimson – facing head to head a prestigious legion ranked within Top-Five Military Elites was definitely ill-advised even for his powerful noble house.
Watching the facial expression of that mysterious gentleman, Nangong Yuanbo wanted badly to voice warnings against rash behavior, yet held down the urge while stating, “You can draw upon whatever resources are necessary—make that work.”
Smiles from the youth now became chilling silences. ” Shall I deal with Zhao Yusang too? “
Nangong frowned slightly before counter-questioning, “Do you think yourself truly capable?”
“Easily so—20 percent chance will always be enough.”
“Only twenty percent chance? Hmmph!” Anger surged onto Nangong’s face as he coldly responded, ‘Well even if that slim probability prevails miraculously—do you fancy trying escape Zhao Xuandi’s retaliation afterwards, tell me? Are you at all ready for that?’
He laughed lightly as he replied, “Nay, none at all. But isn’t handling Zhao Xuanji your prerogative, Uncle?”
Nangong snapped back, “If I were his equal I’d be a Prince, not merely the Marquis of Yishui County!”
The masked figure displayed mock sudden enlightenment now while saying in mock humility, “So then, I shall give little bird a berth.”
“Enough—be gone!” Roared Yuanbo angrily as he turned with a sweep of his sleeves into another room.
That silhouette from shadow, stooping with exaggerated ceremony until Nangong’s back disappeared inward across doorways, finally stood up again. Exaggerated etiquette that bordered on mockery.
A brief silence permeated the room. Suddenly, that masked man shifted his gaze backward toward Nangong Ling and her company still in view, a frozen smile never leaving his otherwise serene countenance
This caused Nangong Ling involuntarily to shudder. A pallid mask devoid both blood and warmth overtook an already ashen-skinned face, trying a forced chuckle as she managed, “Brother-in-arms Qiao Fengtang—Unless … unless … you have anything else?”
The dark male only nodded slowly. Nangong Ling was obviously deeply relieved, bowed hastily one last time before she hurried out, resisting glances thrown backward in sheer terror.
Introducing then a deadly brilliance in human form, Nangong Xiaofeng of Nangong’s prodigious new generation – a rival of paramount talent even amidst the top elite of the four aristocratic lineages – his warped temperament rivaling such ability. Such was an infamous double-edged blade with both edges sharp enough to cut deeply. Even Yuanbo himself once felt the sting, hence junior branches such as Nangong Ling naturally preferred to evade this grim堂哥 whenever they might
But even as she retreated toward inner gardens, Nangong Ling gazed forward with a gleam of vicious joy in her eye at the clusters of blooming wisteria cascading downward, for she sensed bloodshed was imminent at the city named Black Stream – to witness first-hand her female cousin drag a disaster upon that name ‘Nangong’ again was all she could desire.
She even yearned that little Bird might suffer his private attentions exclusively—such was Nangong Xiaofeng’s well-known fondling for prolonged teenage girl killings — albeit the likelihood remote for it was forbidden ground for all by personal order through Master Nangong himself.
Meanwhile at hidden scorpion red base in another part of Qin Continent, young noble stood poised behind desk, serenely calligraphing martial scriptures, wolf-brush poised delicately between poised fingers. Characters emerged precise as print — every line aligned perfectly, every box measured precisely — looking orderly and neat, yet rigid, lacking personality altogether.
Several meters of long rice scroll had been written half through now, countless thousand characters deep in script…
Just when suddenly an attractive girl-officer slipped into chamber, murmuring secrets softly against ear…
He flinched. A single ink droplet splatter down suddenly from brush-end staining and ruining the elegant rice-scroll.
“Tell me—you are implying little girl vanished abruptly? Do those old ones already knew beforehand?”
“None seem so,” the officer girl answered, “it seems Commander Xiaofang Nangong vanished stealthily without alert, my Liege,” her voice calm enough but for an almost-hidden flash jealousy flickered in eye.
The young Lord finally broke his silence slowly saying: “Investigate thoroughly her actions and records during last few days preceding departure — books she read, files searched, contact logs exchanged … then report back.”
Girl saluted. About to step outside again when she heard him call out once more.
“Have my Chasing-Wind #9 armored vehicle prepped ready for departure – deploy at a notice.”
Staring wide-mouthed momentarily, she ultimately refrained commenting anything before stepping outside, yet in the last second — unable resist peek through the slightest crack between retreating doors…only to witness the male slowly starting to tear to shreds that densely covered parchment page.
Shivering briefly while witnessing destruction to the paper of innumerably precise and neat miniature script, for within every such character lay concealed a minute and fragile prison cell built — each one restraining an imprisoned and sleeping beast.
Today, chains are shattered.
These recent weeks, Ye Qian could always be observed fidgeting and unsettled; whether performing official duties or even engaging inner martial cultivation, some nameless anxiety kept intruding.
Matters proceeded normally with the paperwork and strategy, each project rolling out per plan unaffected. However the martial path did encounter a few unexpected bumps however; for even two energy scriptures, ‘Mystery Dawn’ both saw greatly diminished efficiencies in circulation, thus more than half the stored essence gained recently during warfields now got devoured directly into devouring ‘Ink-Emperor’s’ tome without compensation.
Unable tracing any specific origin for this uneasiness clouding Qiantian’s mood lately—it remained a vague and expanding shadow upon the mind heart… save perhaps he felt drawn into waiting, ever-patient still until Nangong Bird completes decryption upon that mysterious grand energy array.
This specific afternoon, bored half-into deliriousness by aimless smalltalk delivered from Lady Yusang Zhao’s presence beside him.
Their conversation naturally eventually gravitated around into philosophical martial arts.
Typically upon such occasions, Yusang’s routine included boastings followed instantly by belittling other ‘so-called’ geniuses from current age. Only after completing this habitual ritual did this young lady suddenly exclaim an afterthought:
“Hey Qian Ye—you’ve already achieved Pecuniary Rank Nine… but how come NO Domain yet?”
“Domain? Don’t people traditionally gain this only past the Champion Rank though? Even fewer Chieftains among Chieftains seem gifted naturally that?”
“Not so,” Lady scoffed disapproval shaking brows while rebuking firmly:
“No wonder mediocre types hold stupid notions—what utter drivel you quoted earlier!”
“In Zhao family, standards differ greatly from your commonplaces! At Peculiar Rank Eight a fledgling domain manifestation should emerge already, while nine marks actual maturity formation—Champion rank merely delays everything irrevocably to point failure becomes inevitable, even with training!”
At this Qian Ye can only reply via wry grins mixed confusion, “Your… what exact criterion?”
Naturally enough Lady answers without hesitation nor trace self-consciousness:
“Standard from my House, of course.”
This made Ye Qian fall into speechlessness once more again muttering aside:
“How many people have achieved that standard in Zhao clan?”
Her voice was bright with confidence once again:
“Besides myself —my elder sister Zhao Yuchen and I naturally surpassed expectations, while brother number two just scrape pass marginally. Around another five or so might barely make it technically —but in raw potential terms even second elder still outranks them”
“So… only 7 or so from entire generation?”
“Exactly – which is why it counts already as loose generous norm,” Zhao lady smiled as if everything perfectly balanced.
The young generation numbering ten thousands among Clan Zhao, and only three achieving this self-set ‘generous’ standard— Qian Ye shook head slowly resigned:
“I’ve average potential naturally so…”
“Nonsense!” She snapped, “You cannot compare when an Esteemed Big Sister such as myself personally approves candidate! You carry one of the extremely rarest and beautiful talent-forms I have ever seen—without domain now is fine! In future it shall definitely emerge even stronger!”
Hearing this last statement made a faint cold sweat breakout. His “beautiful talent”—if one even call it thus — came straight from Venerable Andouya’s Primordial Wing… naturally such a thing could not develop Domains under typical logic, though formidable nonetheless in nature!
“It’s true certain ancient inherited manuals upon full completion can naturally generate Domains, but only when harmonious match exists between method style and innate disposition can full power realized. If merely learned via technique, the Domain remains inferior comparatively. Take Song Zining’s ‘300 Thousand Maple Dance’ manual—lucky fellow indeed who shares nature affinity with his style.”
She then slapped Qiantian’s shoulders jovially stating proudly:
“Fret not! Missing innate domain talent is negligible! Upon homecoming I shall sneak steal for you an original copy of the ‘Three Mountain-Twin Peaks’ training! Guaranteed to unlock domain even without talent!”
Yet before finishing sentence, something happened —her tone abruptly interrupted with sudden concern, “You still training the military battle art style? That system boosts rank rapidly, but …”
Ye Qiantian, meanwhile, suddenly snapped mind-wide awake during ‘Ta Yue’ mention.
“Azure Hill!” he exclaimed.
She blinked confused,“What mountain?”
“You remember saying few days ago regarding key node of these veins under exploration lately? I’m positive it is ‘Azure Hill’!”
She finally pieced the context again: “Yeah. But isn’t that node located within Beastman territory? Is Big Dog stirring trouble too? I assume Brudo Vicomted didn’t moved lately though…”
The castle of this Beast clan, in stark contrast to other Spindle-kind spider clans nearby differed fundamentally in foundation — choosing rugged cliffs rather than loose dirt mound foundations. The Vicomted’s castle was typical Werewolf Architecture with naturally steep topography often lacking roads entirely.
To such Mountain sovereigns — terrain was nonexistent obstacle; even grunts traversed steep inclines barefoot and howling as if upon even planes. Humans couldn’t match. Ordinary troops found cliffs uncrossable while moving up heavy weapons proved impossible altogether.
At past time when Ye surveyed terrain overnight previously in that locale, he chose against brute storming tactics. Instead, garrisoned strategic chokepoints, effectively encircle-sealing off enemy castles while preparing full conquest of eastern regions under the Spider Lord’s vassalage — only afterward targeting besieged Beastmen remnants.
Ye now paced two tight circuits while room before frowning:
“I have this uneasy suspicion, feeling events are slipping past control… I’ve become tired of waiting, I plan taking their Werewolf stronghold earlier.”
She nodded agreement, “Better plan early than otherwise indeed.” then she quickly added curiously, “By what tactics exactly you plan?”
“One person.” He simply pointed finger toward direction of enemy, expression grim. “Decapitate.”
Yusang only nodded calmly again adding: “That suits fine. Still, better wait a single night — recently modified my motorcycle for just such a use! Actually…Bird helped with the modifications quite much.”
“A… new motorcycle?” Ye’s complexion turned distinctly dubious. Given previous experience he absolutely dreaded thoughts of carrying hidden bomb caches strapped under own backside on any ride.
Yusang chuckled mischievously: “Chill bro—I specially crafted bombs here—completely harmless unless mechanically triggered detonator touched by YOU. Even if you yourself start shooting them — no problem!”
Seeing Ye’s reluctant countenance intensifying she rushed to guarantee, “Seriously —I’ll make certain I detail all internal trigger traps on this time, nothing surprises you unexpectedly! Scout’s word on it!”
Twenty four hours later, Ye took his new beast.
The fresh crimson-black motorcycle grew larger than former steed while weight increased appreciably – its form bulkier and definitely wilder than his former mount, promising greater potential power in speed and battle. Upon the oil-tank lid, a familiar face grinned— none other than Yusang’s caricature. Along sides, golden fledgling wing-emblems had now appeared beside her.
Ye stared at this altered symbol of mechanist’s craft, expression wordlessly drole, shifting his glance between proudly grinning Yusang and Nangong little Bird looking eagerly hopeful at him. Sighing with slight amusement mixed resignation, he mounted the cycle then disappeared beyond town horizon.
Outside Beastman’s strong-h old campfires flared into a full regiment. With adjacent fronts settling down into stabilized occupations, aside from remaining units in Blackridge and Bay Garrison zones almost every mobile unit redeploy to reinforce narrow choke passageway now blocked.
Command was transferred over time to Duan Haw and Zhu Wu Ya.
While Fireshadow technically still not holding Independent-Regiment rank, Expeditionary Command obviously tolerated this displacement of the former Seventh Division’s presence entirely. The army’s information highway maintained its unbroken function in transporting documents and intelligence — even that critical weeks after capturing Blackstream city passed with minimal disruptions observed.
And even recently besides normal quarterly salaries and monster hunting bounties, fresh supplies including ammunition and artillery pieces came alongside floating balloon delivery schedules in a synchronized manner. While these weapons lagged slightly from Fireshadow proprietary standards — this delivery marked strong symbolic signals regarding high-command stance shifts unmistakably.
With that, integration of re-structured Seventh became more stable than ever before observed – in all fronts of operations including newer conquests and occupied territories from recent westward campaigns; command structures operated smoothly; defeated former officers’ morale and rebellion inclinations also fading day-by-day.
Guided closely by Duan and Zhu both, Master Ye climbed the reconnaissance outpost for inspection toward the Beast stronghold at high pass gateway.
Two imposing guardian-like peaks stood either side of natural corridor barely several tens meter widths across slanting steeply inward upward — easily defended difficultly attacked.
The werewolves however erected mighty barrier walls at this gateway chokepoints. Ingeniously arranged such that bombardment from far ranges faced natural obstructions like cliff-ledge layers between shells and wall targets. Making direct impact and demolition extremely unlikely to achieve decisively effective outcome.
Duan Haw handed up field optical lens and spoke with unusual seriousness while commenting, “Excellency Qian Ye—these past few nights — more of those oddities began to gather there, please observe…”
（Continuance in progress … to next section translation）
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage