Chapter 30: Your Hand Trembles

A misfire?

Elder Three of the Kong Family didn’t even have time to curse at Song Zining’s shamelessness. He frantically commanded the flagship to avoid the next round of attacks. Although his ship was slightly larger than Song Zining’s, it had already been heavily damaged in the first attack. If it were hit again, it would surely crash.

As the flagship moved, the accompanying warships also adjusted their positions, clearing the way to Blackflow City.

Song Zining didn’t waste any time, immediately leading his fleet to assault Blackflow City, cutting off the retreat of the besieging fleet.

Elder Three’s hands turned cold in an instant. He finally realized that Song Zining never intended to negotiate; he came with the sole purpose of annihilating his forces. According to the usual rules of the noble families, once the leaders of both sides appeared, there should be some verbal sparring to see if a peaceful resolution could be reached. Direct combat was the last resort. However, Song Zining disregarded these rules, launching a surprise attack and severely damaging Elder Three’s flagship, eliminating the biggest threat.

This operation was led by the Kong Family, with several other noble families contributing to form a coalition. While they had a large number of airships, most of them were old models, and some were even converted cargo ships. They knew that Darkflame was elite, but as a far-off expeditionary force, they were considered inferior even to second-line local forces, let alone the private armies of the noble families.

But they never expected Song Zining to suddenly appear with several advanced warships. The firepower of their makeshift fleet was far inferior, and now, without a proper formation, they were like lambs waiting to be slaughtered before Song Zining, unable to escape.

The only thing that could have suppressed Song Zining on the battlefield was Elder Three’s flagship, which unfortunately had lost its combat capability.

The fleet battle erupted in the skies above Blackflow City. Song Zining’s fleet, like wolves among sheep, opened fire and immediately downed three airships, causing chaos. Some of the opposing airships tried to retaliate, others tried to flee, and some just spun in confusion, not knowing what to do.

These warships belonged to several noble families. In a smooth operation, they might have remained coordinated, but with problems arising, the command structure became fragmented. Each person had their own ideas, leading to total chaos. This was also due to the overwhelming and rapid attack by Song Zining, giving them no time to react, and the fact that Elder Three was isolated from the battlefield, unable to issue commands.

As the aerial battle evolved, the ground artillery situation changed. A hidden heavy cannon unleashed a barrage of orange-red special shells, piercing the night sky and striking the fleeing airships. Nearly every second shell found its mark, a shocking accuracy, and the power of these heavy cannons was equally terrifying. A single hit could severely damage a regular airship, and two hits would surely destroy it.

In a blink of an eye, the tide of the battle reversed. The airships under Elder Three’s command suffered heavy losses and began to retreat. Song Zining dispersed his fleet to chase down the retreating airships. He personally led his flagship, slowly closing in on Elder Three’s ship as a deterrent.

Elder Three knew the cause was lost, filled with rage. He wanted to fight, but seeing Song Zining standing unafraid, he hesitated, uncertain if there were other strong fighters on Song Zining’s ship, ready to ambush him. After much deliberation, Elder Three couldn’t muster the courage to take the risk. With a furious grunt, he ordered a retreat.

With the airships retreating, the thousands of soldiers who had invaded Blackflow City were effectively abandoned. It was uncertain how many of the Wolf City troops could escape, and with over half of the airship fleet destroyed, Elder Three felt a deep, searing pain.

Seeing Elder Three’s flagship retreat, Song Zining did not pursue. He watched until the ship disappeared over the horizon, then ordered a return to Blackflow.

Song Zining commanded the warships to hover above the Darkflame headquarters, serving as a deterrent, while he himself leaped into the building. At this moment, Song Hu and Duan Hao came out to greet him. On the roof, a young girl rushed out from the heavy cannon turret, landing in front of Song Zining.

Song Zining smiled, saying, “I knew it was you. Who else but a Gaohu person could aim so precisely?”

The girl was Gaohu Renyue, feeling a bit shy from the praise. She said, “It wasn’t all me. The main reason is that Little Bird Sister modified the cannon, making it much more accurate and powerful than the others.”

Song Zining laughed and tapped her head gently with his fan, then said, “Come, let’s go inside.”

At this moment, the fighting within Blackflow City was still ongoing. Some of the cornered private army had already surrendered, while others were still holding out. But Song Zining ignored them, treating them as good as dead, and calmly walked into the Darkflame headquarters.

Song Hu, walking beside him, lowered his voice, “Seventh Young Master, many of the private army members have revealed their identities. Some hope for leniency, while others are defiant and demand ransom. Several of them are from middle-tier noble families. How should we handle them?”

Song Zining stopped, lightly tapping his fan, producing a clear, resonant sound. He asked, “So, besides the Kong Family, there are several middle-tier noble families here. Do you think we can afford to make enemies with all of them?”

“Of course not,” Song Hu replied instantly. At this point, Song Zining’s power was still weak. He couldn’t stand up to a top-tier family, let alone a middle-tier one.

Song Zining gave a faint smile, “If we know we can’t make enemies, then we should act as if we never saw them. Understood?”

Song Hu’s expression turned serious, “Understood.” Then he turned and left.

A short while later, Song Zining stood in the command room, looking at the city defense map, lost in thought. The map was covered in markings, hastily scribbled, showing the intensity of the situation. Each X marked a destroyed outpost or artillery position, and the continuous streaks represented long stretches of damaged walls. Looking at this map, one could almost see the intensity of the battle. Even now, gunshots, explosions, and death cries occasionally rang through the city.

Song Zining sighed, turning to Duan Hao, “You’re flustered. It seems your temperament hasn’t improved much.”

Duan Hao blushed, speaking softly, “The situation was critical. If not for Miss Nangong setting up several special heavy cannons, we might not have held out until your arrival.”

Song Zining nodded, asking, “How is Little Bird? Is she alright?”

“Miss Nangong participated in the battle and was slightly injured when the cannon tower was hit. She’s being treated now, but there’s no major concern.”

“That’s good. Where is Nan Hua? Take me to her.”

“Yes, sir.” Duan Hao led Song Zining out of the command room, descending to the third underground level. This was the most heavily guarded prison of Darkflame, deep underground. Even if Song Zining himself were locked in, there would be no escape.

“Did she resist?”

“No,” Duan Hao replied.

Song Zining fell silent for a moment, then sighed, “What a pity.”

He said nothing more as they walked to the deepest solitary cell. The cell was spacious but uncomfortable. Surrounding the cell, an array of primal energy dispelled all ambient primal energy, preventing anyone from absorbing or utilizing it. Prolonged imprisonment here would gradually drain one’s primal energy, rendering them powerless.

In the center of the cell, Nan Hua sat quietly, her hair disheveled but otherwise unharmed and not tortured.

Hearing footsteps, she looked up, her eyes lighting up. She rushed to the bars, saying, “You finally came.”

Song Zining sighed, signaling Duan Hao to open the door. Duan Hao, a bit worried, said, “Be careful, Seventh Young Master,” and, after a cautious glance at Nan Hua, slowly retreated, leaving the level.

Song Zining stood calmly in front of Nan Hua, showing no sign of caution. He simply looked at her, asking, “Why didn’t you escape when Duan Hao came for you? He was no match for you.”

Nan Hua gave a bitter smile, “I could have escaped Duan Hao, but not the assassins you would have sent after me. That way, you wouldn’t have to see me when I died, right? I refused to do that. I refused to escape!”

Song Zining sighed, “Was it worth it? That way, we both would have been better off.”

Nan Hua shook her head, sadly, “No. I can never be happy again, so I won’t let you be happy either. I want to die in front of you, and I want you to kill me. That way, no matter how many women you have in the future, you’ll never forget me.”

Song Zining remained silent for a long time, then said, “Among all my women, you understand me best. Perhaps there will never be another like you. You should know that I’ve already started to feel something for you. Why do this?”

Nan Hua gritted her teeth, “You only feel something, and at most, you would only give me a little of your heart. I want the whole heart! If I can’t have it, I’d rather have nothing!”

Song Zining shook his head, “No one can have my whole heart.”

“Not true. Yenot can.”

Song Zining paused, then smiled faintly, “Yenot is Qian Ye’s lover. Qian Ye and I share a bond of life and death. I would risk my life to save Yenot, but that’s for Qian Ye, not because I have any feelings for her. There are none, and there’s no need to say more.”

“Maybe not Yenot, but at least someone of equal caliber. You set your standards high, and only a truly unique woman can win your heart. But no matter who it is, it won’t be me!”

Song Zining sighed again, silently agreeing with Nan Hua.

Nan Hua stepped closer to Song Zining, whispering, “Hold me, and then kill me.”

Song Zining’s hand trembled slightly, and he didn’t respond.

Nan Hua looked up at him, saying softly, “This is my final request.”

“Perhaps…”

Nan Hua gently covered Song Zining’s mouth, “There are no ‘perhaps.’ I harmed Yenot, exposing Qian Ye’s identity and forcing him to flee the empire. It’s irreversible. I don’t want to die at the hands of an unknown assassin without ever seeing you. Do it now!”

Song Zining slowly reached out, embracing Nan Hua and gently stroking her long hair. His trembling hand suddenly held a cold glint, a bone from his folding fan. Gently, he tapped her back, and the cold glint pierced her heart.

Nan Hua’s body trembled, her brows furrowed, then relaxed, and she smiled sweetly, “Your hand trembled, so it hurt a little. But your hand trembled, and I… I’m so glad!”

Song Zining couldn’t speak, only holding Nan Hua tightly.

“If… your heart weren’t so high, and I… weren’t so greedy, how wonderful it would be…” Nan Hua’s voice grew softer, her head resting on Song Zining’s shoulder, as if she had fallen into a deep sleep.