Chapter 53: The Deeply Buried Secret

Qián Yè couldn’t help but laugh and sigh at the content of the letter. He hoped that these two fellows, who had no idea where they were off to wreak havoc, would not think the neutral lands were as easy to enter and leave as they pleased.

Having visited the edge of the Floating Land and wandered for days, he was now both physically and mentally exhausted, with no desire to venture out. Upon returning to his room, he instructed that no one was to disturb him unless it was a matter of utmost urgency, then threw himself onto the bed and fell into a deep sleep.

Ever since ascending to the rank of War General, Qián Yè seldom slept. The cultivation from the Sòng Ancient Scroll was gentle and progressive, like the rain nourishing the earth, entirely capable of replacing sleep, even surpassing it in terms of rest and rejuvenation.

But now, utterly worn out, all he craved was a long, deep sleep.

The darkness was so profound, so lonely.

He awoke suddenly, his eyes meeting the somewhat blinding sunlight. A ray pierced through the gap in the curtains, illuminating the room. It seemed it was a rare fine day outside.

Lying still, Qián Yè gazed blankly at the ceiling, his eyes empty and listless.

Abruptly, he leaped up and rushed to the window, pulling the curtains open. Intense sunlight flooded his face, forcing him to squint.

Indeed, it was a splendid day. Beyond the window, a bustling construction site was filled with nearly a hundred mercenaries, now transformed into builders, busily working. A powerful War General was carrying a massive stone weighing several tons, advancing with heavy, resolute steps. With a grunt, his muscles bulging, he plunged the stone firmly into the foundation, turning it into a pillar.

This stone pillar stood perfectly upright, needing no adjustment. Several mercenaries immediately set to work reinforcing its base, while the War General turned and departed, heading for another stone.

Qián Yè’s thoughts were slow, taking a moment to recall that this was none other than Icicle Wolf, the former boss of this courtyard. Now, he had set aside his pride, and his enthusiasm for work was surprisingly high, whether because of their recent visit to Guanlan City or due to some unseen influence from Tíanqíng.

With a slight smile, Qián Yè pushed the door open. Two guards stood outside, diligently performing their duties.

“How long have I been asleep?”

“Three days, my lord!” one guard responded loudly, already showing the demeanor of an imperial soldier. Clearly, Jī Dàxiǎojiě’s training methods were not to be trifled with.

“Three days?” Qián Yè stretched, “Who is currently in charge of Darkflame? Take me to them.”

Within a morning, Qián Yè met several people. They were once the leaders of their respective mercenary groups, but after the changes in South Azure City, due to their quick-wittedness and shrewdness, Sòng Zǐníng had selected them to oversee various aspects.

After listening to their reports on their assigned tasks, Qián Yè gained a comprehensive understanding of Darkflame’s current situation.

Lunch was brief, and twenty minutes later, construction resumed across the sites.

In the material storage warehouse, Icicle Wolf bent down, grabbed a polished stone column, and with a grunt, he hoisted it onto his shoulder. The watching mercenaries cheered loudly.

Even if Icicle Wolf was no longer the leader, his fighting prowess earned him respect wherever he went. Now, by lowering himself to work alongside ordinary mercenaries, he had garnered the admiration and reverence of many.

At that moment, he caught a glimpse of a familiar figure. This person stood beside a pile of steel beams, asking, “Are these to be moved to the same site?”

“Yes, yes, my lord!” the stammering warrior replied. Icicle Wolf, surprised, recognized Qián Yè.

Dressed in a set of worn and ill-fitting old armor, Qián Yè picked up the steel beams, stacking them one by one on his shoulder until he had seven or eight. Satisfied, he walked over to Icilestone and patted his shoulder, saying, “Let’s go, together.”

“Lord, you… are you…”

“Working.”

“But…”

“What’s the problem? Standing here with a stone beam on your shoulder, aren’t you tired?”

Icicle Wolf swallowed, leading the way without further ado, and Qián Yè followed behind. Though the steel beams on Qián Yè’s shoulders looked thin, they were incredibly heavy, each weighing several tons. Carrying so many, Qián Yè needed to use his original force just to keep from sinking into the ground.

They worked from noon until deep into the night. With Qián Yè and Icicle Wolf’s formidable strength, the construction progressed at an unprecedented pace. By nightfall, the framework of a new armory was completed.

After a full day of hard labor, even Icicle Wolf, though pale and unsteady, showed signs of fatigue. Qián Yè, however, remained unfazed, as usual.

As the mercenaries gradually left the site to rest, Icicle Wolf cautiously asked, “My lord, the work is done. Would you like to have a drink?”

To his surprise, Qián Yè agreed readily, “Why not?”

After a grueling day, the taverns in South Azure City were packed. The mercenaries, still caked in dust and sweat, eagerly sought a drink.

Despite the exhaustion, for ordinary mercenaries, this was a paying job, free from the danger of losing their lives. Experienced veterans, discerning the scale and purpose of the construction, saw the promising future of Darkflame. Most mercenary groups did not need four separate armories or an airship repair workshop.

Mercenaries in the neutral lands possessed a simple yet astute survival instinct. Everyone knew the importance of having a powerful patron. Only when no better option was available would they settle for lesser patrons. Qián Yè, Jī Tiānqíng, and Sòng Zǐníng provided ample evidence of Darkflame’s strength, at least strong enough to suppress City Lord Jì Ruì. The majority of mercenaries could not even dream of joining the City Guard, let alone living a stable life within it. Only true daredevils would choose the mercenary life otherwise.

Thus, during the construction of the new mercenary base, those from smaller groups put in their utmost effort. On the battlefield, they were mere cannon fodder, with little chance of rising. Now, a bit of hard labor and sweat could earn them recognition from above. Who wouldn’t seize such an opportunity?

When Icicle Wolf and Qián Yè entered the tavern, the clamor instantly hushed. For ordinary mercenaries, Icicle Wolf was a towering figure, and Qián Yè, the nominal leader of Darkflame, was even more unreachable.

However, the tavern was a place where barriers easily melted away. After the initial awkwardness, the atmosphere soon warmed up, and the mercenaries’ eyes were fixed only on their drinking partners, forgetting Qián Yè’s identity.

As the night waned, the tavern returned to silence, the mercenaries sprawled across the floor, snoring loudly, piled on top of each other.

Icicle Wolf, groaning, crawled out from under a table, clutching his head. The pain felt like being hit by an original force gun, and everything around him swayed.

“Qián Yè… Qián Yè, my lord?” Icicle Wolf finally stood, looking around.

“He has already left, and he paid for your drinks,” the tavern owner replied.

Pouring a cup of ice water over his head, Icicle Wolf felt slightly more coherent. Gazing at the sleeping mercenaries, he found it hard to believe, “Wait, did Qián Yè my lord drink us all under the table alone?”

The tavern owner rolled his eyes, “What else?”

“…Indeed, a worthy leader.”

In the following days, Qián Yè immersed himself in the construction site like an ordinary mercenary, only retiring late at night to rest.

With the leader himself engaging in hard labor, the formerly haughty subordinates followed suit, diligently working. With a multitude of powerful warriors, the progress soared.

Meanwhile, on the edge of the Eastern Sea Continent, Sòng Zǐníng and Jī Tiānqíng were hidden atop a peak, using rocks for cover, cautiously peering out.

“Why are we here?” Before Sòng Zǐníng could finish, Jī Tiānqíng grabbed his neck, pressing his face into the snow.

A whisper barely audible reached his ears, “If you don’t want us to die here, shut up!”

Sòng Zǐníng, startled, had never seen Jī Tiānqíng so tense. As he tried to use his Thousand Leaf Domain to disguise himself, she tightened her grip, “No domain!”

Finally, Sòng Zǐníng could only mimic Jī Tiānqíng, lying flat on the ground, half-buried in snow, inching forward.

Reaching the cliff’s edge, they slowly peeked out, scanning the area.

Before them lay an open plain, with a floating warship parked in the distance. Its design suggested it belonged to the Blood Race, likely a vessel of a Marquis, if not higher.

The sudden appearance of such a high-ranking Blood Race vessel in the Eastern Sea shocked Sòng Zǐníng. However, his intelligence, coupled with what Qián Yè had mentioned about Night Pupil, allowed him to understand the ship’s origin.

Jī Tiānqíng watched the distant warship intently, and Sòng Zǐníng couldn’t fathom what she was studying.

From afar, they could see a figure busy repairing the damaged ship. Despite the distance, Sòng Zǐníng, being who he was, sensed the formidable power of the Blood Race individual. Such a powerful figure willingly serving as a subordinate indicated that Night Pupil was indeed beyond their reach.

Jī Tiānqíng, after a silent observation, signaled to Sòng Zǐníng. They carefully retreated, descending the mountain secretly.

“That warship…” Sòng Zǐníng ventured.

“She’s inside. I can feel it.”

“How do you know she’s here?”

“You don’t need to know. I have my ways.”

Sòng Zǐníng shook his head, “So, this is what you meant by ‘collecting resources.'”

“The reason doesn’t matter, does it?”

Jī Tiānqíng seemed oddly different. Sòng Zǐníng didn’t question further, following her. Yet, instead of returning to South Azure, they continued toward the continent’s edge.