Chapter 97: Stubborn Defiance

Zhao Yuying nodded and turned to instruct the Dark Flame warriors, “Wait for me here.” She then followed the guard into the inner courtyard alone.

The inside and outside of the small courtyard were almost like two different worlds. The courtyard was exquisitely decorated, and Lord Yu Yang stood with his hands behind his back, admiring a ink-wash landscape painting on the wall. If the original owner of the courtyard were here, they would surely not recognize their own residence. The complete transformation of the environment within a day, with no detail overlooked, demonstrated the true power of the Zhao clan.

Zhao Yuying entered the room and said, “Uncle is in quite a good mood.”

Her voice betrayed an uncontainable anger. Lord Yu Yang did not turn around but simply said, “You still can’t keep your temper, huh? If your cousin Xuanji saw this, he would probably be even more disappointed.”

Zhao Yuying abandoned her composure and reverted to her usual manner, “I have never been anything to please him! Where’s that bastard Zhao Fenglei? Tell him to come out and see me!”

Lord Yu Yang sighed and turned around, “I’ve already let him leave. He should be out of this war zone by now. And you shouldn’t use that word for Fenglei. If it gets out, it won’t look good for our elder brothers.”

Zhao Yuying huffed coldly, “Fine, I won’t call him a… that scoundrel. But Uncle, was what happened today your doing, or was it his own initiative?”

Lord Yu Yang looked at Zhao Yuying, who had her arms crossed and stood with a defiant posture, frowning, “He told me about it. Fenglei was indeed a bit impulsive, but he only killed a few commoners. What’s the big deal? But what you said then was inappropriate. Do you know the consequences if it gets out?”

Zhao Yuying sneered, “Didn’t Zhao Fenglei say he wanted to kill Qian Ye?”

Instead of answering, Lord Yu Yang asked, “Was it Qian Ye who attacked one of the Nan Gong family’s bases last night?”

Zhao Yuying admitted candidly, “I told him to do it. So what?”

A flash of anger appeared on Lord Yu Yang’s face, “Such nonsense! You’ve ruined a perfectly good situation with your impulsiveness! We could have used your injury as leverage to make the Nan Gong family bow and stand with us, the Zhao clan. Now, killing a few insignificant private soldiers has done nothing but vent some anger. The Nan Gong family will likely side with our enemies. Think about the consequences!”

“Did Zhao Fenglei consider any of this when he wanted to kill Qian Ye?”

Lord Yu Yang’s expression softened a bit, “You know well that Fenglei’s feelings for you have reached a point of obsession. It’s understandable that he acted impulsively. Besides, though Qian Ye has talent, he’s ultimately just a commoner. Even if Jun Du were to bring him into the family, his status would remain the same. No matter what, he cannot compare to you and Fenglei. Moreover, if he enters our Zhao clan, he must abide by the family rules, even Jun Du cannot deny this.”

“Qian Ye…” Zhao Yuying began but stopped.

Zhao Yuying knew that Zhao Fenglei’s hesitation was not entirely due to her threat, but mostly because of Zhao Jundu. Zhao Jundu was planning to bring someone into the family, even considering them as a brother. If that person was killed by Zhao Fenglei without a valid reason, it would create a significant grudge. To Zhao Fenglei, Qian Ye’s life was not as important as Zhao Jundu’s reputation.

The gap in status was a chasm. Even if Qian Ye became a part of the Zhao clan, nothing would change. Lord Yu Yang’s words were clear: even if Zhao Fenglei had killed Qian Ye, it wouldn’t be a big deal.

Zhao Yuying spoke coldly, “So, Uncle is determined to favor him completely?”

Lord Yu Yang was displeased, “What are you saying? My actions are first for the Zhao clan, and then for our family. Fenglei made a small mistake, but you’ve ruined the bigger picture. Even the council would agree.”

As he spoke, Lord Yu Yang watched Zhao Yuying’s expression. In the eyes of several elders of the Yan King’s branch, Zhao Yuying’s personality was unsuitable to become the main wife. However, Duke You had no other eligible granddaughters, and to bridge the bloodline gap between the Yan and You branches and to foster the next generation’s talent, the engagement was discussed, albeit reluctantly.

Zhao Fenglei, blinded by his emotions, didn’t notice anything strange, but Lord Yu Yang, upon hearing that Qian Ye was Zhao Jundu’s man, sensed something was amiss. Zhao Jundu might interfere with Zhao Yuying’s marriage to weaken the alliance, but Qian Ye, even if he joined the Zhao clan, lacked the qualifications.

Then, why was Zhao Yuying so concerned about Qian Ye? Lord Yu Yang suddenly felt that he should investigate this mercenary city lord from the edge of the Evernight Continent.

While Lord Yu Yang pondered, Zhao Yuying scoffed, “Trading my life for your branch’s glory, such a brilliant idea! I wasn’t with the Dark Flame Independent Regiment during that hunt. How did Nan Gong Xiaofeng know my whereabouts so precisely and attack me? I need to talk to Grandfather about this.”

Lord Yu Yang finally showed a change in expression, urgently saying, “Our Yan and You branches are like one family, Yuying! You can’t say such things!”

“How I say it is my business. Also, tell Zhao Fenglei to give up. Even if I had a hundred men, none of them would be him!”

“You!!” Even the usually calm Lord Yu Yang was speechless.

Zhao Yuying turned and walked out, slamming the door shut behind her.

Lord Yu Yang sat alone in the room, sighing heavily after a long while.

When Zhao Yuying returned to the Dark Flame headquarters, Qian Ye’s wounds had been treated. It was almost dawn, yet he was not resting, but maintaining the Twin Flowers.

Qian Ye was focused and calm, as if nothing had happened. Yet, Zhao Yuying felt a pang in her heart. After spending so much time with Qian Ye, she knew his character well. The calmer he was, the more he kept it in mind.

“You’re back?” Qian Ye looked up as the door opened.

“Zhao Fenglei ran away, and the conversation with Uncle was a bit tense,” Zhao Yuying said frankly. Suddenly, her face flushed, and she started coughing violently, blood foaming at her lips.

Her injuries were far more severe than Qian Ye’s. Walking normally, it was not obvious, but after the exertion, her internal organs could not bear the strain.

Qian Ye frowned, “Sit down and rest. Your internal injuries need quiet recuperation.” His voice then turned cold, “Let Zhao Fenglei run. There’s still a long way to go. Unless he stays within the Yan King’s mansion, we’ll meet again sooner or later.”

Zhao Yuying collapsed onto the sofa, her mood low, “Zhao Fenglei and Nan Gong Xiaofeng are different. This incident, in the eyes of those old men, is trivial…”

“I know. Even if it were me, it would still be a minor issue.”

“No! You’re different…” Zhao Yuying realized she couldn’t continue. Qian Ye was important to her and Zhao Jundu, but in the eyes of the Zhao clan, his life was just a minor concern. Even if Qian Ye regained his identity as the illegitimate son of the Duke of Cheng’en, he would still be just one among thousands of young members of the Zhao clan, nothing special.

Thinking of this, Zhao Yuying could only smile bitterly, “You’ve already offended the Nan Gong family. You can’t afford to offend the Yan King as well.”

Qian Ye smiled calmly, “What difference does one more or one less make? At worst, I’ll give Dark Flame to Zining and go into the wilderness to train. But as long as I’m alive, they won’t sleep well.”

Zhao Yuying didn’t know what to say. After a moment, she whispered, “Jun Du will also be participating in the battle. Do you want to see him?”

Qian Ye paused in cleaning the Twin Flowers, then continued, “No.”

Zhao Yuying thought for a moment and continued, “Qian Ye, no matter what, go back to the Zhao clan after the Blood War. The bone marrow cleansing pools there can maximize your potential. Advancing to the rank of general there is much better than elsewhere. This is a crucial matter, don’t be rash.”

Qian Ye was silent for a while, then said, “We’ll see.”

Zhao Yuying didn’t say more, got up, and left for her room.

After Zhao Yuying left, Qian Ye put down the Twin Flowers and sat quietly, his thoughts complex.

He understood Zhao Yuying’s meaning. Advancing to the rank of general was a critical step for every strong warrior, and everyone took it seriously. Any misstep could affect one’s future achievements. The Zhao clan’s bone marrow cleansing pools, even if not the best in the empire, were among the top.

However, using the bone marrow cleansing pools meant returning to the Zhao clan. No matter what excuse Zhao Jundu used to bring him into the family, he would no longer be Qian Ye, but Zhao Qianye.

This shouldn’t be a problem for most people, as it was a chance to rise. Who wouldn’t want to be born into the Zhao clan, even as a collateral branch?

Yet, Qian Ye thought of the garbage heap where he grew up, and the large, grotesque scar on his chest that persisted despite his enhanced body. A voice in his heart resisted, unwilling to return.

In his heart, he was stubborn.

But first, there was Zhao Jundu and Zhao Ruoxi, and now Zhao Yuying. The interactions with the younger generation had melted some of the ice in Qian Ye’s heart. Zhao Yuying, with her severe injuries, should have returned to the upper continent, but she stayed in Blackstream City, fearing that the Nan Gong family would take advantage and retaliate against Qian Ye if she left.

Who would dare to harm Zhao Yuying, except for a madman like Nan Gong Xiaofeng?

Qian Ye’s thoughts were in turmoil. He initially thought his bond with the Zhao clan was only about receiving his mother’s legacy from Zhao Jundu. Now, he realized that some things could never be easily severed, like blood ties.

Thinking of this, he remembered his two friends, Wei Potian and Song Zining, both from powerful families. Though their situations differed, they also had their own constraints.

The Blood War was approaching, and the winds of change were stirring. On the fringes of the Overland, a small, unremarkable city welcomed the highest-ranking guests in its history. A fleet of floating airships arrived, blocking out the sky. Though the family crests were covered, anyone could recognize this as the main fleet of the Nan Gong family.