At this moment, the door to the hall creaked open, and Roxa walked in. His eyes slightly narrowed as he stared at the tall silhouette of Medanzo, sneering coldly, “This campaign has not gone well; I wonder how you plan to explain it to the Council.”
Medanzo let out a heavy humph, his voice cold, “Do I still need to explain myself to that bunch of trash in the Council? Don’t forget, you also share command here.”
Roxa chuckled with a sinister smile, “But nominally, you are the highest commander. After all, the dignity of the Night Queen is not to be trifled with. But with this record, I doubt Her Majesty Lilith’s face will look good either. If I were you, I might go and have a contest with Zhang Boqian across the battlefield, to see just how capable that newly risen king of the human race really is.”
Medanzo’s face was like water, refusing to answer. He could easily see through Roxa’s provocation but found it difficult to counter. If not for Roxa’s watchful eye, he might indeed go and have a decisive battle with Zhang Boqian. But if Medanzo were to engage in a decisive duel with Zhang Boqian now and get seriously injured, Roxa would not hesitate to send him to a long sleep in the Blood Pool.
For top-tier powerhouses who had lived for a thousand years, the so-called “big picture” was not about maintaining a balance of power or a heroic struggle. In the eyes of the Great Dark Lords, as long as they themselves were alive, that was the big picture. Given the chance, they would kill their opponents without hesitation.
Since the start of the Great Beast’s Sleep, the overt and covert confrontations between Medanzo and Roxa had occurred countless times, yet neither could defeat the other.
In the central camp of the Imperial Army, Zhang Boqian, who had been dozing on a bed, suddenly opened his eyes and muttered, “The young ones did a pretty good job this time!” He rose and put on his cloak, disappearing in one step beyond the quiet chamber’s door.
The courtyard of the main camp looked different from when Song Zining had first come. The dense crown of the banyan trees seemed to have grown even more luxuriant in just over ten days, and in contrast to the dry weather of the Evernight Continent, many aerial roots hung down, resembling curtains, partially obscuring the large tents behind them, showing only the skylights on the domes.
But if someone stepped inside, they would find the scenery completely transformed. The hundred or so square meters of empty space was actually a pool of clear, rippling water, with milky white mist rising gently, nurturing various unknown aquatic plants, creating an indescribably serene and elegant scene. This area was clearly warmer and more humid than outside, with a strong presence of dawn force, indicating a large-scale origin force array.
In the middle of the water, there was a small pavilion that could only accommodate a table and four stools. Lin Xitang sat on one side, his hair half-silver and half-gray, casually draped behind him, his fingers lightly touching a chess piece, deep in thought.
Opposite him sat a man with a square head and large ears, a kind face, and a somewhat corpulent figure, more resembling a wealthy merchant from the inland parts of the Empire than a soldier. Gu Tuohai, two years older than Lin Xitang, showed much deeper signs of age at the corners of his eyes and brows.
With a flash, Zhang Boqian appeared in the pavilion. Glancing at the chessboard, a black piece from Gu Tuohai’s side suddenly jumped out and landed with a snap in a broad expanse surrounded by white pieces. With this move, no matter how Lin Xitang responded, it would inevitably lead to a fierce and close combat.
Lin Xitang sighed, putting the white piece back into the chess box, and said, “It’s always like this. You’re not my opponent, yet you always come to stir things up, often disregarding the rules. Even if you take the lead with one move, what can it do? You’ll still lose.”
Zhang Boqian replied calmly, “If one move doesn’t win, then I’ll take two, three, and eventually I will win. Your layout is indeed exquisite, but not everyone is willing to play by your rules. Now you’re becoming bolder, even planning to take on Lilith. Are you tired of living?”
Though Zhang Boqian was speaking to Lin Xitang, Gu Tuohai opposite him was embarrassed, coughing and saying, “King Qingyang, I’ve tried to persuade him, but how could Xitang listen to me?”
Zhang Boqian finally glanced at Gu Tuohai, “Mr. Gu, did the Emperor go to such great lengths to have you bring the entire ‘Jiajia’ array here to heal his wounds or to end his life? A patient should rest, not meddle in other matters. As a doctor, shouldn’t you know this basic common sense?”
Gu Tuohai’s face turned red, but he remained silent. Zhang Boqian’s tone was calm, but it carried a hint of killing intent. This King Qingyang was not someone to reason with; arguing with him was tantamount to suicide, and a meaningless one at that. Despite his principles, Gu Tuohai didn’t want to die in vain, and he didn’t entirely agree with Lin Xitang’s risky actions.
Lin Xitang sighed, “Boqian, I proposed this plan, and I will execute it. This war is crucial to the fate of the Empire. Who does more or less, what does it matter?”
Zhang Boqian coldly replied, “The Empire is not short of people who can use Heavenly Derivation. If it concerns the Empire’s fate, you should let those who want to share power come to the front lines. Do you want to claim all the credit for yourself?”
The sarcasm in Zhang Boqian’s words left Lin Xitang with a bitter smile, changing the subject, “You must have come here for some other reason, right?”
When it came to serious matters, Zhang Boqian’s expression softened slightly, saying, “The young ones did a good job this time.”
Lin Xitang smiled and stood up, “That’s good news! Who are the promising talents?”
“Bai Ao Tu seems to have paved the way to cross the Divine General path; it’s just a matter of time. Zhao Jundu truly lives up to his reputation, and my nephew Mu Nian, though a bit behind them, hasn’t disgraced the family name.” After mentioning a few names from the great families, Zhang Boqian suddenly added, “Moreover, Li Kuanglan has given me quite a few surprises.”
Lin Xitang’s expression was a bit complicated, “He is indeed impressive. What about Song Zining? He has fought several tough battles under your command.”
Zhang Boqian replied calmly, “He’s smart, but too scheming, always wanting to use others to achieve his goals, just like you. This will be a significant obstacle when he aims for the top.”
“You may be wrong, Song Zining and I are completely different,” Lin Xitang shook his head, “Boqian, you always underestimate the art of Heavenly Derivation. You will eventually suffer for it.”
Zhang Boqian sneered, “At most, it will be a minor setback for me. My counterattack will be the path to the other’s destruction!”
Their debate on this matter never reached a conclusion. Lin Xitang didn’t say more, instead stating, “Since the young ones have done better than I expected, the task will be easier. The time is ripe, and I need to make some preparations. I’ll need Brother Tuohai to escort me back to the capital.”
“No problem.” Gu Tuohai, looking at Lin Xitang’s half-lusterless silver hair, replied, but couldn’t help sighing.
Lin Xitang paid no mind and, after bidding farewell, returned to his room. Gu Tuohai also prepared to leave, but as he took a step, he suddenly felt a powerful, invisible force restraining him, unable to move another inch.
Zhang Boqian gazed at the misty green water, asking calmly, “Is there anything happening in the capital that I should know about?”
Gu Tuohai’s face changed slightly, and he couldn’t help but look in the direction Lin Xitang had gone, unsure how Zhang Boqian guessed that Lin Xitang had kept some information from him. After a moment’s hesitation, Gu Tuohai said, “Xitang’s third decoy in the capital has been killed.”
To his surprise, Zhang Boqian remained calm, only asking, “Doesn’t the Emperor intervene?”
Gu Tuohai laughed bitterly, “Once Xitang sets his mind on something, no one can persuade him. When has the Emperor ever been able to change his mind?”
Zhang Boqian let out a cold humph and asked, “What is the actual condition of his injury? Is there truly no way to restore the Dark Original Fire of the Crown of Flames?”
“The Dark Original Fire causes a person to feel cold to the bone when it flares up, but in reality, its presence continuously offsets part of the backlash from the reversed Heavenly Derivation.”
“Reversed?!” Zhang Boqian understood the hidden meaning in Gu Tuohai’s words, his face turning cold, “Are there any remedies?”
Gu Tuohai hesitated for a long time before saying in a low voice, “There are, but they are forbidden arts.”
Zhang Boqian stood with his hands behind his back, silent for a moment before saying, “So-called taboos are merely rules set by humans. Rules others can set, I can set too!”
Gu Tuohai fell silent, only speaking after a long while, “Think twice, King Qingyang.”
Zhang Boqian raised his hand, and the restraints on Gu Tuohai vanished. He turned pale and walked away, taking two steps before turning back and saying, “Xitang won’t agree.”
Zhang Boqian’s tone was chillingly calm, “This may not be up to him.”
In the wilderness, Qian Ye drove his vehicle at high speed, heading towards Blackflow City. The road was eerily quiet, with no sign of people for hours. Occasionally, hunters or dark races’ rangers would spot the vehicle’s emblem of the Imperial main army and quietly retreat.
With the Imperial and Evernight Parliament armies at a standoff, the sky was filled with powerful figures, and even the most greedy and vicious characters dared not attack the regular forces of either side.
After several days of non-stop travel, Qian Ye arrived at the place where he had agreed to meet Yexin. It was a secluded valley with complex terrain and several exits, ideal for hiding.
Qian Ye parked the vehicle at the entrance and walked into the valley. At the center of the valley, a small river meandered for dozens of kilometers before merging into a larger river.
Yexin was sitting by the river, using a homemade fishing tool. But her mind was clearly not on fishing; she ignored several fish that had taken the bait, allowing them to escape.
Qian Ye sat down beside her and asked, “What are you thinking about?”
“This place reminds me of where I lived as a child. There was a similar valley near my father’s castle, and I used to play there a lot. Later, as I grew up, many of my combat training sessions were held in that valley.”
Yexin spoke calmly.
Qian Ye drew her into his arms and softly said, “The past is the past. It’s time for a new life. Soon, I will make that so-called Saint pay for everything!”
Yexin nodded, though her expression suggested she didn’t fully believe him. Qian Ye didn’t say more, knowing that when the time and strength were right, he would act. Words were meaningless now.
Yexin rested her head on Qian Ye’s chest, closing her eyes, and asked, “Do you think I can live in your Empire?”
“Of course you can.”
“Alright, I’ll try. But… won’t you get tired of seeing me every day?”
“How could I?” Qian Ye smiled.
Yexin fell silent, and the riverside valley was once again quiet.
After a long while, Qian Ye gently patted Yexin and said, “We should go. A friend is waiting for us. He’s my best brother. If anything happens when I’m not around, you can seek him out.”
Yexin smiled and said, “Now that I’m with you, what else could happen?”
The two left the valley, and after driving for half a day, Qian Ye arrived at a small town outside Blackflow City.
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