Thus, Aiden’s dominating presence troubled Li Tianquan far more than any of the noble families. Until this plague was eradicated, military glory ranks might soon crumble away. Though the Heavenly Cloud Nebula Pearl could sustain the list this session, it might not persist till the very end.
The Li family offered two Heavenly Cloud Nebula Pearls, with a true purpose of attracting Imperial strong warriors to fight for Li through the ranks. Given the present situation of the Li Clan, sufficient power to sustain such a massive battlefield in the Mist Forest could not be affirmed.
Indeed, seizing hold of Mist Forest rendered those paltry Heavenly Cloud Nebula Pearls trivial matters. What kind of mysterious treasure could rival the chance to ascend into a prestigious house?
It was a centuries-spanning plan of the Li family. If it were destroyed in Li Tianquan’s hands, he might rightfully go down as a sinner through the ages. He might, furthermore, fall too early to witness such ruin—for even now, many individuals maneuvered outrightly or covertly in attempts to depose him.
Li, who never fathomed such a favorable state collapsing entirely due to that man Aiden, understood the problem, yet found little solution at all—aware though he was, he recognized that even he himself entering battle within the Mist Forest might likely perish by Aiden’s hands.
Aiden’s dominant advantages in the Mist Forest were colossal. Scions’ squads piled corpse mountains before conclusively recognizing that Aiden’s eyesight likely stretched over 450 meters. A sight range sufficiently hopeless enough.
More the vexation of Aiden’s strength, the deeper Li’s resentment towards Qian Ye burned. Had Qian Ye remained, with him engaging Aiden, would things have degenerated to a predicament like this?
Filled at that moment with bitter outrage towards Qian, Master Li could not control muttering furiously under his breath—”That young villain who thinks of nothing save himself!,” fiercely hurling his tea flask to shatter upon the floor.
A lady official had slipped in silently to clean, before slipping out again silently too—in fact, nowadays, many flasks met daily ends by Li; his surroundings had long adjusted to such occurrences.
Yet even smashing his flask could scarcely soothe much more of a problem than mere frustrations—they’d earlier debated award procedures regarding that Heavenly Cloud Pearl. He originally insisted that denying Qian Ye his reward would avoid updating battle glory registers. Citing Qian Ye having exited the forest front ahead of schedule, days remained short enough.
The excuse, however, was extremely tenuous considering how Qian Ye only left a few days early, still maintaining the right during remaining days to rest safely within the fort. Moreover, even so early exiting Qian Ye’s position upon battlefield listings would likely prove impregnable. Even during the last week, rival squads valiant yet desperately attacked casualties unchecked, yet still failed entirely seizing even one single rank above him.
Meaning thus, should they grant him an entirely additional week—results likely unchanged. Even under those half-section conditions wherein Qian Ye was tangled battling Aiden fiercely mid-battlefield.
And although many others shared such thinking akin to how Master Li approached this, numerous individuals stood stoutly against it, realizing Pli family now stood helpless before Aiden. Could any of that translate into handling Qian Ye instead, when once long, ago, back in the days, even Aiden nearly got slaughtered under the blade of that young prodigy? What they all relied on merely was that the Li house’s prestige was immense—an audacity gamble that Qian Ye truly wouldn’t retaliate at all.
In height midst those heated contentions, Zhao Jun Du sent urgent word: “Should treasures not be rendered, my marching columns personally shall be dispatched for retrieval by arms!”
This declaration carried with it absolutely no wiggle-room for escape nor face-restoring options to Li Clan dignity at large! Innumerable elders gasped at such presumptuousness! Some youths bellowed: Who were they? Could they dare imagine rivaling even the mighty Zhao family upon field of honor?
Yet indeed, even Li himself scorned especially these roaring hawks’ verve—once actual total war with Zhao would break out, undoubtedly proving they’d scatter swiftest amidst ranks! Without further considerations, even Floating Mainland’s war stretched this far, yet how many of all these loud mouths actually ever stepped into frontline combat?
Suddenly during that time, however, head Patriarch of Li’s bloodline declared final command—ordering Heavenly Cloud Pearls handed instantly towards Qian Ye alongside activating rare annual house authority denying elder re-review possibility, proclaiming thus his definitive judgment!
No sooner issued than instantaneous murmurs rose endlessly across mansion households. Especially from aged elders who smashed heads against columns—claiming shamefulness upon Li family this decision must be!
Of course, none surprised unexpectedly; indeed it again turned predictably upon those having avoided all battles so far whose clamors turned strongest. While all warriors having truly stood fierce combat within fog-laden battlefields maintained heavy silent tongues. These select few knew exactly what weight the icy figure behind Qian’s combat record concealed—depth beyond reckoning strength, coupled undoubtedly against unaccounted lives Emperor’s soldiers had been saved because of that cold steel.
Yet, soon enough, Zhao’s famed thundered stroke shook all nations while comments from Chang Bak Hion flared like wildfire across Empire, silencing entirely Li dissensions. Seemingly overnight forgetting, those same individuals who had wept and cried foul only moments before appeared to have never expressed any such sentiment.
Meanwhile back in Li palace, still remained a different burden of his—the vow once loudly sworn himself, if Qian Ye seized overall glory supremacy he’d gift as added token Mirror Water Renew.
Once spread wildly throughout known noble quarters—universally publicised in entirety! Li himself yet could ill conceal now.
Yet therein laid fresh difficulty: from where then obtain scarce Mirror Water Renew, famed elixir of soul-saving?
At a war-torn moment like this, its true worth was essentially priceless! Every existing Mirror potion reserved within family vaults either belonged to another already—future stocks even yet unproduced remained preordained for others. Nowhere could Li locate spare units left sufficient towards honoring said bet oath.
And so his current ploy relied thus entirely upon procuring goods whose worth compared equivalent to that elixir, hoping at some level to settle accounts towards Qian Ye. Except during such times, despite entire mansion worth thrown together indiscriminately, its true price remained impossibly distant.
Enough burden, indeed, for an entire fresh generation of shattered tea cups!
When contrast against all this chaos Floating Mainland represented, dark Eternal Dominion lands instead offered something akin paradisiacal stillness, tranquil so suddenly as difficult to adjust eyes to peaceful surroundings.
Now arrived mid-afternoon—Evernight daylight’s best moment—Ye Tong originally sat amidst garden reading scrolls until brows gently knitted into puzzled frown gazing then toward entrance.
At almost precisely synchronised moment gentle rapping echoed, rhythm maintained steadily—not overly briskly yet not lagging unduly either—consistent throughout in timing.
Contemplately Ye Tong then advanced, opening up garden gate inwardly. Before gate awaited an adult male in approximate late thirtieth years’ life. Clad in full imperial general fatigues except no indication identifying official status—neither military insignia nor corps familial crest marked uniforms. She certainly confirmed never meeting such person previously while understanding full well—this was covert headquarter for Shadow flame, common civilians denied any right to approach this area.
Outward calmness masked an inner volcanoes ready eruption. His power surged and surged more, and every flicker his gaze made towards distant spaces seemed capable of manifesting sheer killing force.
Instant mutual observation told her—this visitor walked paths through mountains of blood and heaps upon heaps of carcasses. Most dangerous species of mortal adversaries in existence; worse still though—despite her recognizing clear Battle Lord class strength signature from him—their true power still concealed in shadow veils, utterly unknowable from superficial glimpses. Her Vision focused narrowly on slaying energies; not identical to Qian Ye’s world-revealing gaze technique, her perceiving ability remained somewhat less refined here than otherwise.
Yet hesitation lasted only seconds’ blink—before she again returned smiles politely: “May I assist Sir?”
The man had paused as if struck with astonishment upon meeting her visage. Perhaps simply hadn’t anticipated receiving party would turn into someone this seemingly plain, with almost zero apparent martial aura exuding. Doubt laced words carefully: “Residing hereby… this, is this truly General Qian Ye’s residence?”
“Correct. Although Qian Ye is currently absent.”
Relief washed across his countenance as exhaled: “Splendid. I carry correspondence from General Qian, returning this way.”
Saying so, with painstaking caution he drew forth sealed parchment—stored carefully within innermost tunic, fearful lest any tear arise.
As Ye Tong accepted letter—her gaze detected at immediate glance that handwriting matched perfectly Qian’s personal characters—instant recognition triggered subtle return smile murmuring gratitude: “Genuine from Qian. Many thanks—perhaps step momentarily indoors first to rest?”
The messenger exhaled again with relief—replies however declined politely: “No necessity—I must report quickly back myself.”
Saying thus, respectfully bowed with deep inclination, proceeding to depart thereafter—swiftly disappeared down street turning distant.
Precisely there, at the moment, another lady, Nan Hua, hurried forwards in reverse direction—accidentally encountering, crossed path with this strange military visitor… For some unexplained reason, Nan inexplicably shuddered at his closeness despite moment lasting no more than heartbeat. Her returning sense only arrived—after visitor figure fully vanished completely.
Turning towards standing silhouette by door was Ye Tong, Nan questioned: “Meeting appointment for this person…?”
Head nod in answer: “A letter written by Qian Ye; he’s here delivering it.”
“Delivering Letters?! People of his calibre still personally delivering mails?! This truly seems… excessive, doesn’t this seem too lavish?” Nan’s incredulous tone couldn’t help but slip out—merely moment of passing brush proximity sufficing for clear perception his terrifying force akin oceans unfathomably fathoms’ depths within abyssal black.
Ye Tong’s indifferent response: “Unclear still—but letter clearly authored by Qian, sufficient as needed explanation.”
Curiosity shifted then onto broader subject: “Qian Ye’s finally wrote back again! That scoundrel, did he ever consider penning letters at appropriate occasions? It’s been several months already!”
Gentle smiles returned: “Fighting ceased recently, so he found chances to send a message. No letter emerges amidst continuous battle campaigns for us—those aren’t things he could casually describe amidst endless conflict.”
Tone sigh: “Protecting heart—keeping silent worries from heart, really feels enviable!”
Yue Tong answered with a calm nod—accepting compliment naturally.
“Well then, let me no longer interrupt! You should read mail first… quite substantial indeed,” She chuckled lightly—before departing once more.
Back now within personal inner space Ye Tong broke open letter slowly, carefully deciphering lines.
The content described in detail every unusual location previously crossed along route—from his unique encounters to exotic locales. Ending most paragraphs consistently featured phrase: “I must take her to visit this one day!” Perhaps Qian had entirely forgot that exact sentence ended up replicated through pages most repeatedly.
Like a traveler clumsily chronicling, every corner explored on Floating Mainland was inscribed in those words—one spot worthy of stopping… wished companion to view together.
Silently, she read word beyond word, smiling faint amidst occasional moments understanding. Read beneath morning rising through afternoon sun lowering, candle lights flickering through evening’s stars rising to next dawn’s breaking sky—reading until day once again touched Evernight’s horizon.
Sunrise illuminating Eternal Dominion, by then the delivery man had already returned towards Floating Mainland battlefield. Standing before mysterious woman—lieutenant rank. Offering nothing but report: “Mission complete.”
Yet visible on his uniform were numerous rips across uniform’s body, facially bore one clear slash wound too—clear demonstration indeed, two full days spent in accomplishing trans-continental courier run both ways.
Unperturbed, she simply nodded briefly before curt dismissal signal: “Leave.”
Formally saluting back respectfully, he exited silently—firmly closing the wooden door soundlessly behind himself. He stood frozen briefly before silently departed unseen—stepping deeper into eternal blackness.
This single door… never meant to open for him again… ever.
Within silent room, she sat in hushed thought while面前 displayed lay massive stacks of classified data—pertinent primarily solely towards only two names: Qian Ye, along side another… Li Kuang Lan.
Fingers gently traced over Li Kuanglan’s name, murmuring to air in her low, hushed tone: “Hmph.. I’m returned now.”
“Let our game continue anew, tell me… Just how—exactly…do you intend surpassing me this time?”
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