Chapter 22: A Dual Arrival

Long ago, Zhao Yuying had already demonstrated how to deal with these troublesome and bizarre leaves. Qian Ye reached out to grab one. The floating leaf was greatly alarmed, swerving like lightning and rapidly dodging. But no matter how fast it flew, it could not escape the grasp of Qian Ye’s palm. An irresistible force enveloped it, and then Qian Ye snatched it in his hand.

Qian Ye exerted force, preparing to crumple the leaf into a ball. At that moment, a startled cry came from between his fingers, “Don’t!!”

Qian Ye smiled slightly, opening his five fingers and letting the leaf fly from his palm.

The floating leaf swayed in the air for a few moments before stabilizing, still visibly shaken. Then, the image of Song Zining appeared on the leaf, though only about the size of a finger, standing stably atop it as if treading on a solitary boat, a truly rare elegance.

Song Zining sized up Qian Ye and praised, “Your strength has improved once more. Truly commendable. If this continues, I might really not be able to beat you anymore.”

Qian Ye smiled and said, “You could beat me? That was eons ago.”

Exposed, Song Zining’s face turned red with anger, “I am the seventh young master of the Song clan, I will not stoop to your barbaric level! Fighting and killing are the most meaningless things. By the way, I heard that you’ve been having a tough time lately, with plenty of enemies.”

Qian Ye did not answer but instead asked, “Why aren’t you fighting on the Floating Land? What brings you here?”

Song Zining laughed heartily and said, “I’ve decided to quit the military and go into business, managing my Ningyuan Heavy Industries. In the future, I aim to be the richest man in the world, winning people over with virtue! I heard that the Neutral Zone is a land of treasures, so I came to scout it out.”

Qian Ye, amused and exasperated, extended his finger in a threatening gesture, “Speak plainly!”

Song Zining was greatly alarmed, trying to maneuver the floating leaf, but was once again held down by an invisible force. Seeing the faintly shimmering crimson-gold light around him, he knew he could not avoid Qian Ye’s finger and sighed, “Qian Ye, you’ve gone bad.”

Qian Ye laughed, “This is the Neutral Zone; innocence doesn’t work here.”

“Fine, to put it simply, the military has found out that you’re in the Neutral Zone. Knowing their nature, they won’t let it go easily. I was worried you wouldn’t be able to handle it alone, so I came to check on you. Oh, Jun Du also knows about this and has sent a few capable warriors.”

Qian Ye’s heart skipped a beat as he quickly asked, “Who did he send?”

Song Zining listed a few names, all of them fierce generals known to Qian Ye. He grew anxious, “Sending these people, what about his own front lines? Are the dark races so easy to deal with? Why didn’t you stop him?”

Song Zining laughed heartily, “With your fourth brother’s stubborn head, would he listen to others? If it weren’t for the commotion he’d cause, he might have come himself.”

“Then…” Qian Ye suddenly fell silent.

“Enough chit-chat, stop practicing that ghostly skill of yours, it annoys me! If you keep this up, will I still be able to beat you? I finally made it here, so treat me to some drinks!”

Qian Ye smiled, “With your measly alcohol tolerance, you dare challenge me? Tonight, I’ll remind you of that nightmare at the Yellow Springs.”

Song Zining flipped Qian Ye the middle finger, “I’ll arrive at Nan Qing in the afternoon, be ready!”

Since there was still some time until mid-afternoon, Song Zining was likely still at least a hundred kilometers away. The floating leaf transformed into an ordinary leaf, quietly resting in Qian Ye’s palm. Qian Ye gently caressed its smooth surface, feeling a wave of joy. After a long absence, Song Zining’s mastery of his domain had become even more refined, clearly indicating a higher level of cultivation.

Qian Ye’s speed of cultivation was already rare in the world, but Song Zining had always kept pace, never falling behind.

As night approached, Qian Ye ended his practice of the Bright Chapter mystic art, left the inn, and walked to a nearby tavern. If Song Zining could find him in Nan Qing, he could surely find this tavern as well.

After sitting down, Qian Ye ordered ten bottles of the strongest liquor and waited for Song Zining.

“Drinking alone? Can I join you?”

Qian Ye looked up to see a tall female hunter looking at him. She had a heroic appearance, marred only by two scars on her face.

Qian Ye smiled slightly, “I’m waiting for a friend.”

“That’s fine, we can drink together when he arrives. My treat tonight!” The female hunter sat down without hesitation.

Qian Ye shrugged, not refusing. He was in a good mood, and he saw a glimpse of Yu Yingnan in her.

Time had flown by, and so much had happened since then.

Qian Ye mused. Often, he forgot the sense of time. The blood race, known as the long-lived, far outlived humans. The high-ranking vampires, with their formidable strength, could extend their lives through hibernation and blood pools, sometimes living for thousands of years.

His body, now that of an ancient vampire, showed no trace of the passing years. But for humans, much could happen in that time.

Once they started drinking, the alcohol went down fast. Unexplainably, half the bottles were already empty. Qian Ye couldn’t remember what he or the female hunter had said. Amidst the daze, numerous memories flooded back, each tugging at his heart.

Sometime later, a figure appeared at the table, none other than Song Zining.

Settling in, Song Zining poured himself a drink and laughed, “It’s been a while. You’ve gotten stronger. You even have company for drinks. Aren’t you afraid Nigthye will break your legs when you get back?”

“Nighthye?” Qian Ye gave a bitter smile and took a large gulp.

Perceptive, Song Zining sensed something was off and asked, “What happened to her?”

“Hey! Who is Nighthye?” The female hunter, already tipsy, seemed displeased upon hearing the obviously female name.

Ignoring the female hunter, Qian Ye sighed, “She left.”

Her mood brightened, “Let’s drink!”

It was the perfect time for another round. Song Zining and Qian Ye downed their glasses.

As the alcohol took hold, both grew quiet, pondering their own thoughts, silently sipping.

The bottles emptied and were replaced, only to empty again.

Taking a deep breath, Song Zining’s breath carried the heavy scent of alcohol. He patted Qian Ye on the shoulder, “Nan Hua is dead.”

“Hmm.”

“I killed him myself.”

“Huh?”

“If… never mind, there’s no if.” Song Zining shook his head, then turned to Qian Ye, “What about you? What’s going on?”

Qian Ye hesitated, then stopped.

Finally understanding, the female hunter realized both handsome men had relationship troubles. Her spirits lifted, she clapped their shoulders, saying, “Women, they’re everywhere. Don’t think too much, I’ll keep you company tonight, hahaha!!”

Caught off guard, both Qian Ye and Song Zining sobered up a bit. They exchanged glances, realizing their predicament.

The female hunter, elated, enjoyed the cheers and applause in the tavern, with some even jumping onto tables to spectate.

Laughing heartily, full of heroic spirit, she tried to pat Qian Ye and Song Zining, “No more talk, come with me tonight!”

But her hands hit the table, causing pain, and the two men were nowhere to be seen.

Eyes wide, she searched left and right, only to find a table cluttered with empty bottles. No one there.

For a moment, she wondered if she was dreaming. Turning, she saw everyone in the tavern staring at the empty table, mouths agape, as if seeing a ghost.

“Didn’t you see people here just now?” she asked.

Some nodded, some looked confused, and others, after rubbing their eyes, shook their heads. How could two people vanish before so many eyes?

Outside, Qian Ye and Song Zining slipped out, disappearing into the night.

Moments later, they sat on the city wall, basking in the night breeze, gazing at the stars.

“Never thought your domain could be used like this,” Qian Ye said.

Song Zining smiled, “Just a small trick, works only on common folk. Against strong opponents, it’s useless. Anyway, more drinks?”

“More?” Qian Ye was surprised.

“Of course! Don’t you know who I am?” Proudly, Song Zining pulled out two bottles, waving them in front of Qian Ye.

Overjoyed, Qian Ye grabbed one, drinking half in one go, and then remembered to ask, “Where did you get these?”

“Leftovers from earlier, I grabbed two on the way out.”

“But… we didn’t pay, right?”

Song Zining laughed, patting Qian Ye’s shoulder, “Consider it a service fee for keeping you company tonight!”

“Shut up!”

After the laughter, Song Zining grew serious, “What’s going on with Nighthye?”

“Aren’t you skilled in divination? If you could find me, why don’t you know about Nighthye?”

Song Zining sighed, “Finding you already cost me. This was with your consent. Divining Nighthye, I almost lost my life to the backlash. How can I continue?”

Qian Ye understood.

After a pause, he said, “Don’t try again. She’s… different now. Beyond our control.”

He explained his situation in the Neutral Zone, naturally leading to Nighthye’s awakening.

Song Zining listened quietly, showing no surprise, even at Nighthye’s former identity as a being from the Holy Mountain.

But when Qian Ye mentioned sending Nighthye back to the Holy Mountain, Song Zining jumped up, “Are you crazy?!”