Chapter 65: Bearing the Burden

Qian Ye weakly waved his hand. He had long since given up on countering Song Zining’s knack for steering every conversation into bizarre directions. He simply asked, “Why would Marshal Boqian allow them to enter the camp?”

Song Zining laughed heartily and said, “Marshal Boqian is still a man, and one of the main pillars of the Qingyang Zhang Clan, the foremost aristocratic family. Allowing them to enter the camp was a trivial matter, but it could secure the support of the noble families behind them. Why not do it then?”

Qian Ye was slightly taken aback.

Song Zining knew what Qian Ye was thinking. He patted him on the shoulder and said, “Don’t be fooled by the rumors. Marshal Boqian has always been straightforward and forceful, preferring to resolve matters with power rather than cunning. This is because his strength is more than enough to break through any deadlock, so he doesn’t need to strategize. Among the countless strong figures of our time, only he has achieved the path to becoming a Heavenly King. How could he be just a simple brute? You are to see him tomorrow, so don’t try to be clever and make any small moves.”

Qian Ye started to understand. Song Zining must have found out that he was going to meet Zhang Boqian and was worried about his secret being exposed, so he rushed over. But in front of a Heavenly King, how could they possibly keep a secret? Qian Ye sighed bitterly, “No matter what we do, it will be useless, right?”

A shadow fell over Song Zining’s face, an uncharacteristic seriousness. He had no good solution either. He had come to see if he could just deliver a token or claim severe injuries, but now that Duke You had already met Qian Ye, this plan was clearly out of the question.

Qian Ye slowly said, “Actually, as long as the blood core isn’t exposed, I have half of the dawn and dark origin powers in my body, with dawn origin power being slightly more. Even if Marshal Boqian sees it, he can’t just convict me like that, right?”

Although he said this, both of them knew it wasn’t so simple. Song Zining had met Zhang Boqian face-to-face and knew the overwhelming pressure he exuded. But what worried him the most was someone else. “Qian Ye, do you know who I saw when Marshal Boqian summoned me last time?”

When Qian Ye heard Song Zining mention Lin Xitang’s name, his expression changed, and his thoughts became a tangled mess. After hearing Song Zining’s account, he was stunned for a while before asking, “Will I see him this time too?”

Song Zining shook his head, “It’s hard to say if he will show up. The Empire has always claimed that Marshal Lin is recuperating in the Imperial Capital. His visit to the Evernight is a top-secret matter, even people in positions like Duke You don’t know.”

At this moment, Qian Ye calmed down, thinking about the situation. “Zining, Marshal Zhang summoned you, but you saw Marshal Lin. It means he suspects I didn’t die in the Red Scorpion operation and wants to confirm my identity from you.”

As he spoke, Qian Ye let out a sigh, saying somberly, “Actually, it’s not much of a secret. You shouldn’t have taken such a risk.” Song Zining hadn’t lied to Lin Xitang, but he had played a trick. His answers didn’t give a clear causal logic, which was extremely dangerous in front of someone like Lin Xitang. The disparity in power and status meant there could be no fair dialogue.

Song Zining just smiled, knowing Qian Ye would understand. Qian Ye was pure and straightforward, but not stupid. When faced with real issues, his intuition was sharp, often hitting the mark. “In fact, I’m not sure why he didn’t come to you directly.”

Qian Ye grabbed a handful of hair and suddenly said, “Zining, do you think… back then, did he know I was a child of the Zhao family?”

The room fell silent. There were too many possibilities behind this question, making one shudder at the thought.

Qian Ye broke the silence, “What’s coming will come. We’ll know tomorrow. Also, there’s something else. I met Li Kuanglan in the Great Beast’s Slumber. He specifically mentioned that you two had met on the battlefield. This person gives me a strange feeling. I can’t tell if he’s friend or foe. But his sword skills are indeed impressive. I’m not yet a match for him. This Li Kuanglan, where did he come from, and how can he be so powerful? And I’ve never heard of him before. By the way, did he do anything harmful to you during your last meeting?”

“Li Kuanglan? You mean you met him? What exactly happened? Tell me in detail!”

Seeing the serious look on Song Zining’s face, Qian Ye recounted the entire encounter with Li Kuanglan, not leaving out the Mirror Water Floating Life incident.

Song Zining furrowed his brows, but after Qian Ye finished, he relaxed somewhat, turning into a mischievous smile. He clapped Qian Ye on the shoulder, “You, ‘Mirror Water Floating Life’ is a priceless treasure. You actually dared to accept such a valuable gift from a girl. How do you plan to repay her? With your body?”

Girl? Qian Ye was stunned, staring wide-eyed at Song Zining, completely failing to see anything girlish about Li Kuanglan.

Song Zining waggled a finger, smiling, “Not many people know this, but Li Kuanglan is indeed the youngest daughter of the current Queen Mother, and she’s almost twenty years younger than the eldest.”

Qian Ye opened his mouth, unsure of what to say.

Song Zining, excited, continued, “Age-wise, she’s a bit older than you, but that’s fine. A wife should be a bit older to keep the household in order. Don’t worry, I have no deep grudge with the Li Jingtang clan. The caravan incident might have been a separate plot, and I was just collateral damage. A little annoyance won’t stop you from repaying her ‘kindness’!”

Qian Ye couldn’t listen anymore. He clamped a hand over Song Zining’s mouth, groaning, “Why does everything lead to that? And… I have a woman.”

He hesitated, but briefly told him about Nighteye.

Song Zining’s face changed, jumping up in shock, “What? You mean she’s called Nighteye? She wouldn’t be the princess of the Menro Clan, would she?”

Qian Ye nodded, “Yes, it’s her.”

Song Zining sucked in a breath, “You want to bring the princess of Menro back? Are you crazy?”

Qian Ye’s eyes showed unprecedented determination, “There are many dark races living in the Empire, especially the blood races.”

Song Zining’s face turned darker than ever. He stood up, pacing around the room, looking extremely agitated, “Those are either slaves or minor figures who can be sacrificed anytime, so the Empire turns a blind eye. But how can the princess of Menro be the same? Once her existence is known, countless people will covet her. Have you thought about what to do if this is discovered?”

“If there’s no other choice, I’ll take her to the neutral lands.”

Song Zining stopped abruptly in front of Qian Ye, staring into his eyes, “Do you remember, we once agreed that if you ever became a slave to the blood race, I’d kill you myself.”

Qian Ye faced Song Zining’s unusually fierce gaze, saying, “Of course I remember. But I’m very clear-headed now. I’m not controlled by the dark blood, nor am I manipulated by anyone!”

The two men silently stared at each other for a while. Song Zining cursed, “Damn it, you’re not controlled by the blood aura, and your brain hasn’t gone bad. Yet you still want to do this. If that’s not madness, what is?”

He suddenly grabbed Qian Ye’s collar, gritting his teeth, “Damn, don’t tell me this is true love!”

Qian Ye thought seriously and said, “Seems… yes, it is.”

Song Zining’s face twisted in disbelief, grabbing Qian Ye’s collar and shaking him violently, almost shouting in his face, “You go out every day to fight those dark bastards, and then you come back and tell me you have true love with a blood race?! True love with the princess of Menro, a primeval descendant of the Blackwing Lord, one of the Thirteen Ancestors?! How the hell am I supposed to react to this? This is, this is damn cool! Shouldn’t this be something I do instead?”

“Uh, uh, hmm… ah??” Qian Ye, who was initially feeling down, found it hard to accept this situation if it wasn’t happening to him. But the last two sentences, even though Qian Ye was used to Song Zining’s unpredictability, left him dumbfounded.

Qian Ye suddenly remembered that outside the room was the Zhao family’s camp. Song Zining’s loud voice had almost been deafening, and everyone in the camp probably heard it!

Song Zining looked smug, snapping his fingers. A faint, shimmering light barrier appeared around them, and several leaves materialized from the air, circling around his finger before flying to the four corners of the room and disappearing.

“I’ve set up a domain. In this camp, no more than five people can eavesdrop on me!”

“But that’s still five people!” Qian Ye felt both relieved and amused.

Song Zining glared, “Those big shots have plenty to worry about. Who has the time to eavesdrop on us?”

He suddenly became serious, releasing Qian Ye’s rumpled collar, “Are you sure you want to give up your brothers and friends in the Empire for a woman, even if she’s a blood race?”

Qian Ye tried to argue, “I’m not giving up my brothers and friends. Didn’t you say we could build a great nation in the neutral lands?”

Song Zining angrily retorted, “I didn’t mean you should run off with a woman when I said that!”

Before Qian Ye could respond, Song Zining suddenly grinned, slinging an arm around Qian Ye’s neck, pulling him close, “But if it’s the princess of Menro, that’s a different story! Forget the neutral lands, even building a kingdom on the Twilight Continent would be worth it. This is impressive! No wonder you’re my brother!”

Qian Ye was at a loss with Song Zining’s sudden changes in attitude, wanting to explain that he was forced into this situation. But before he could speak, Song Zining cut him off again.

“Qian Ye, we’re brothers. You can’t hog all the benefits. Does the princess of Menro have any remarkable sisters or cousins? Introduce me, will you?”

Qian Ye was flabbergasted, feeling dizzy and instinctively answering, “There is one, I think it’s her sister, Dusk. She has a good bloodline talent and is already a countess…”

Song Zining snapped open his fan, fanning himself rapidly, “I like her!”

Qian Ye pressed his forehead, not understanding why he and Song Zining always ended up with strange topics. He said helplessly, “Let me finish. Dusk is sly and ruthless. During the Blood Battle of Iron Curtain, she even tried to trap Zhao Jundu.”

To this, the Seventh Young Master seemed indifferent, “If we’re talking about low limits, who am I afraid of?”

Qian Ye was speechless, feeling a surge of frustration in his chest.