Chapter 66: An Audience

Upon seeing this, Song Zining’s frivolous smile vanished, and he asked, “Have you made up your mind?”

Qian Ye sighed inwardly and nodded firmly.

Song Zining also grew serious, pondering for a moment before looking at Qian Ye with an enigmatic gaze. Suddenly, he smiled, “Qian Ye, you’ve grown up.”

Before Qian Ye could say anything, Song Zining seemed to have already thought through all the subsequent matters, “Night Pupil, as the princess of the Monro clan, has basic records in the Empire, including portraits. Even though most people in Evernight don’t have access to such information, the current situation is special. There are too many strong figures from the Empire in Evernight; she cannot appear directly like this.”

While tapping his fan lightly against his palm, Song Zining continued, “I will need around three to four days to make some arrangements. A major battle just ended here, and the next one won’t start for a while, so there’s a window of time. I can take a few days off to return to Black Stream City. When do you plan to go?”

Qian Ye hesitated, “Zining, just tell me who to contact. This matter is too dangerous, and you shouldn’t get directly involved.” Although he originally intended to ask Song Zining for ways to bring Night Pupil into the human settlements, this was a forbidden matter, and he never thought of involving Song Zining directly.

Song Zining sneered, “You finally realize it’s dangerous?” He paused and said coldly, “The Empire may have strict laws, but they don’t punish by association. Rest assured, if something happens, I will make sure to keep myself clean.”

After being rebuked by Song Zining, Qian Ye fell silent. He was too familiar with Song Zining; such a look and tone meant he was truly angry.

Seeing Qian Ye’s face with a hint of pain and confusion, Song Zining’s expression returned to calm, “You still have to face General Boqian tomorrow, and no one can help you with that. If everything goes well, I’ll wait for you in Black Stream City in five days.”

Qian Ye slowly nodded.

Song Zining said, “Then it’s settled. I’ll leave first; I still need to request leave.” Before leaving, Song Zining turned back and said, “No matter what, you’re my brother. If anything really happens, I’ll stand by you.”

Without waiting for Qian Ye’s response, Song Zining left the room.

Qian Ye sat motionless for a long time, and the room remained unlit, filled with the night’s darkness. Outside, the noise gradually faded until only the sound of the night wind remained. Qian Ye immersed himself in the darkness, and at some point, his mind became completely at peace, entering a meditative state needed for cultivation.

He didn’t force it, allowing the two chapters of the Profound Brilliance Technique to alternate smoothly. Only now did Qian Ye discover their profound mystery: both chapters could refine the residual energy of the ancient essence fragments of the void behemoth within him. The Profound Chapter refined dark origin power, while the Brilliance Chapter produced dawn origin power.

As for tomorrow, it would be left to fate.

After a night of cultivation, dawn arrived. The Evernight Continent still lay under the night sky, but the Imperial camp was bustling with activity as soldiers got up and started their drills.

When Qian Ye finished washing and stepped out, two of Zhao Xuanji’s personal guards were waiting outside. Qian Ye followed them to a vehicle and headed toward Zhang Boqian’s central command tent on the hilltop.

As soon as the vehicle passed through the central command gate, Qian Ye felt a slight heaviness, as if an invisible iron curtain had descended, separating the central command from the outside world. He was startled; this feeling of the domain was similar to the Iron Curtain of the Sky Ghosts. Though it didn’t cover a vast range, it was even more airtight.

Qian Ye tried to extend his perception to touch the invisible barrier, only to be repelled, leaving him no room to counter. At this moment, he felt like a bird in a cage, unable to even let his consciousness escape. This feeling was extremely uncomfortable, and the pressure on him gradually increased, from initially negligible to eventually heavy as a boulder.

Alarmed, Qian Ye looked towards the central tent. If this was all emanating from Zhang Boqian, then the might of this legendary figure of the Empire was indeed as deep as an abyss. Just being in his domain, and a domain that only cut off mental scans, was enough to make Qian Ye feel suffocated.

At this moment, the vehicle jolted to a stop. Qian Ye got out with the others and saw a gate before them. This area was noticeably quieter than the rest of the camp, with few guards and hardly any common soldiers. The officers hurried past, none stopping to converse.

Qian Ye looked around and noticed that the others who came with him were unaffected, as if they were oblivious to the powerful pressure.

The colonel from the Imperial military staff who brought them in for official business noticed Qian Ye’s pale face and beads of cold sweat on his forehead. Concerned, he asked, “Young Master Qian Ye, are you not fully recovered? After meeting the General, I’ll take you to the medical center. This time, the entire laboratory was transported here, and the medical conditions should be better than those of the great clans.”

Qian Ye waved his hand weakly, “I’m fine. It’s just that this is my first time meeting General Boqian, and I’m a bit nervous.”

“Of course! I’ve been in the army for over a decade and can only catch a glimpse of the General from afar. I’m not even qualified to meet him in person!” The colonel’s face was full of longing. Among the group, only Qian Ye was scheduled to meet Zhang Boqian, and the others looked at him with envy.

Qian Ye managed a weak smile and didn’t respond.

The guards at this gate were all from Zhang Boqian’s elite “Iron Guard Legion.” After the colonel completed the handover procedures, he could go no further. Inside, someone would come to guide each of them separately.

Qian Ye noticed that the two people guiding him were both War Generals, and their uniforms had the cloud pattern trim he had only heard about—the mark of the Thunder Cavalry Guard of the Imperial Guard.

As they went deeper, it grew quieter. Finally, when Qian Ye stopped in front of a large tent, he saw no one moving around. The Thunder Cavalry Guard who led him there didn’t speak, only gestured to him.

Qian Ye took a deep breath and stepped into the open tent, which gave him a sense of emptiness.

This dome tent, often used as a command post by the Imperial field army, could accommodate four or five hundred people. In the center, there was only a desk with a person sitting behind it, a tall lamp standing behind him. Even at nine in the morning, lighting was still necessary, so the lamp burned with a fierce origin flame, illuminating the desk and casting the man’s face in a flickering light.

Though seated, the man’s imposing figure was still evident.

His long hair was untied and casually draped, and his posture was so relaxed it didn’t seem like he was in the military. Yet, the martial aura exuding from him carried a faint hint of blood. He held a golden cup, gazing into it, lost in thought.

At first sight, a name popped into Qian Ye’s mind: Zhang Boqian!

The Thunder Cavalry Guard who brought Qian Ye in didn’t announce him, instead walking to the side of the tent and standing silently with his comrades. Qian Ye, stunned, walked to a spot ten meters away from Zhang Boqian and bowed slightly.

Zhang Boqian seemed to pay no attention, continuing to stare into his cup, motionless. Qian Ye could only stand and remain silent.

Standing there, Qian Ye felt the pressure on him growing heavier, and the flow of his origin power becoming sluggish. He felt like a drowning man, slowly sinking into the water, powerless to struggle, and falling into the dark depths of the sea.

Finally, Qian Ye moved, turning to look at the Thunder Cavalry Guards standing in the corner, but they stood straight, showing no signs of abnormality. Qian Ye now even found breathing difficult, and the pressure was so heavy he could almost hear his bones creaking.

Could these Thunder Cavalry Guard War Generals be so powerful that they were immune to the overwhelming pressure of the domain of the King of Qingyang? But Qian Ye knew this was impossible.

Qian Ye’s breathing became increasingly rapid, and he sweated profusely. A bead of sweat rolled down his face, and a drop finally hit the ground with a soft ‘tap.’

The silence in the tent was broken.

Zhang Boqian finally looked up, his gaze falling on Qian Ye, and he spoke slowly, “They are unaffected because they can’t sense my domain. That you can perceive it and endure it so far is already commendable.”

As Zhang Boqian spoke, the pressure on Qian Ye suddenly vanished. He felt like a fish in water, taking a deep, relieving breath.

Zhang Boqian gazed at Qian Ye, his eyes deep and inscrutable. In front of these eyes, Qian Ye suddenly felt that nothing could be hidden; he was as transparent as if all his secrets were laid bare in the light of day.

Qian Ye stood silently, awaiting his fate.

Zhang Boqian put down the golden cup and fell into thought. After a moment, he said, “It was indeed you who killed the Sky Ghost’s avatar. You have potential. Come!”

A Thunder Cavalry Guard quickly approached and asked, “General, what are your orders?”

“Check what reward he deserves.”

This Thunder Cavalry Guard was well-versed in military affairs and immediately listed, “For slaying the Sky Ghost’s avatar, he can receive a custom-made seventh-grade firearm and a set of ammunition; or a sixth-grade masterpiece weapon crafted by a master; or a sixth-grade war armor from the Imperial workshop…”

There were many options, but Qian Ye interjected, “Can I defer the reward for now and use it later?”

The Thunder Cavalry Guard was taken aback and couldn’t help saying, “This reward is different from usual; there are many high-quality items, some even from the Imperial Guard’s standard issue, which are rarely seen otherwise.”

Qian Ye nodded, “Thank you for your kindness. However, I still prefer to defer the reward for now.”

At this, Zhang Boqian said calmly, “So be it. You may go.”

With Zhang Boqian’s words, the Thunder Cavalry Guard saluted and returned to his position, and the two guards who brought Qian Ye in escorted him back the same way.

When Qian Ye saw the colonel waiting outside the gate, he couldn’t believe he had actually come out. He felt that Zhang Boqian had clearly seen through all his secrets with a single glance but said nothing and let him leave safely.

What was the scheme? Qian Ye immediately dismissed this absurd idea. Zhang Boqian, who was he? Why would he play such tricks? With Zhang Boqian’s personality, he promoted those he liked and eliminated those he didn’t. Why would he make an exception for him?

But what was happening now? Zhang Boqian clearly paid significant attention to Qian Ye, otherwise, he wouldn’t have spent so much time on him.

Leaving, Qian Ye had more questions than when he came. He even doubted if Zhang Boqian had truly seen through everything. And in his heart, there was a small knot. He hadn’t seen that person, and he wasn’t sure if he was disappointed or relieved.